The Idea and Argument of Truth

Thank goodness people think differently from each other. For if everyone thought the same way, agreed upon identical beliefs, then what would there be to challenge the truth? Truth is a tricky topic especially in the culture climate that all generations are currently contributing to and experiencing. We live in a culture climate where everyone’s individual truth is the objective truth and that anything or anyone who challenges that truth becomes an object worthy of criticism, ridicule, and silencing. In other words, little to no listening or healthy debate occurs. I suppose I shall expound upon this idea of an illusionistic objectivity and offer a valid, sound deductive argument with wisdom as its cornerstone. For reference, I adhere to Socrates' definition of wisdom, "The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing."

(a) If what is considered truth is always agreed upon with no challenge to its truthfulness, then every person and/or group of people think(s) exactly the same.

(b) Every person and/or group of people think(s) differently from one another.

(c) Therefore, it must be the case that every person’s and/or group of people’s truth is always going to be challenged about its truthfulness.

When a deductive argument is valid, that means if all the premises are true, then the conclusion must be true. Validity does not mean the premises are true; it just means if they are true the conclusion must be true. I believe the above argument fulfills these requirements, and as the truth table proves below, this is a valid Modus Tollens argument form.

Next, soundness must be discussed. My Philosophy professor, Dr. Mayo, explains that soundness for a deductive argument is “when the argument is valid AND each premise is true.” Since I have established that the proposed argument is valid, I now must answer the question about the truth of the premises and give sealing evidence to prove that my argument’s premises are sound by answering the following two questions.

Premise (a) — If everyone thought the exact same way, would truth actually not be challenged?

I personally believe that truth would not be challenged if everyone thought the same way. Under the circumstances of everyone always believing the same thing, I am prone to believe that truth would evolve and adapt but not be challenged about its truthfulness. I cannot see how if the whole world thought the exact same way, anyone would think to question what is universally accepted as true. For example, it is universally accepted that all humans breath in oxygen. Because that principle is universally accepted, no one is challenging the truth that all humans breath oxygen (at least no one to my knowledge is trying to disprove that we breath oxygen). Is it possible in this premise's parameters for the whole world to collectively change their mind about an universal truth? Yes, but it would not be challenging the accepted truth. It would be evolving and adapting the universal belief to a different degree of truthfulness. Therefore, the answer to the question is “Yes” which proves premise (a) true.

Premise (b) — Does everyone and/or every group of people think differently from each other?

I believe with 100% truth and conviction that Coldplay is the greatest band to have existed and that will ever exist. I have a good feeling that at least one person disagrees with me on this truth I believe. On a more serious and credible note, take the recent 2020 election as an example. I think that also gives evidence of people thinking differently from each other. Therefore, the answer to the question is “Yes” which proves premise (b) true.

When an argument is both sound and valid, that makes a good argument (versus the opposite, a bad argument). Because premise (a) and premise (b) have been proven true which makes the argument sound, and the argument has been proven valid, this a good argument with some possible, grand meaning to it. As referenced before, I adhere to wisdom. I am only a 19 year old girl from Tennessee who is fascinated with Philosophy, English, and Coldplay. I know relatively nothing. Nonetheless, I wanted to explore this idea that formed into an argument that formed into a conclusion. And the conclusion is, challenge what you believe, challenge what others believe, ask questions, and wonder why people believe what they believe. This is not a free invitation to forsake every truth. Instead, this is an invitation to discover what is true and not simply to deny or accept what others believe as truth. Use justice, mercy, discernment, conviction, and wisdom as a guide. And, as I will always cling to for this life and eternity, there is only One who encompasses these virtues and is the Truest of Truths. God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

If you would like to have a healthy conversation about truth or Coldplay or any points of disagreement, please reach me in the contact section on the main home page.