Truth “Truth means seeing reality as it is.” –Sheed Truth means “telling it like it is” –Kreeft “Saying of what is that it is and of what is not that it is not” – Aristotle

Mystery Box Sliotar (hurling)hurling Solid Bronze baseball $5 $50 Bug ball Gently used Diaper Does what the object is (the truth of the object) change based on your interpretation or guess of what it is?

Types of Truth The two types of truth are objective and subjective truth. Truth “The question of whether we can know objective truth is one of the most important questions in apologetics, because…most arguments…eventually come down to this point.” p. 132 in Handbook

Characteristics of Objective Truth It is whether or not we –Know it –Like it or –Believe it

Characteristics of Objective Truth Objective: truth exists and is independent of the knower and his consciousness Absolute: applies to all circumstances for all times Universal: applies to all people Immutable: unchanging Red balloon

Subjective Truth Definition: Truth as understood by the individual subject. (I statements) The relationship that “my mind” has with objective truth Not an opinion –Opinion: a personal interpretation of reality that can be either correct or incorrect (universals)

Objective (O) or Subjective (S) Statements? _____ I believe in God _____ God exists _____ I like God _____ I do not believe in God _____ I do not like God _____ God does not exist _____ I know that God exists _____ I don’t know/care whether or not God exists _____ Maybe God exists, maybe he doesn’t

Why does it matter? If you are driving down the road and you see a pile of leaves… Objectively…there could be something hidden in it that could cause damage Subjectively…you decide that there is nothing that could cause damage So, naturally, you run into the pile of leaves… The result?

Contradictions What is a contradiction? –A logical incompatibility (nonsense); there is no logical way to reconcile the differences –A 4-sided triangle In exercises of reason we seek to point out contradictions in the arguments of others and they seek to point them out in our arguments. Contradictions and truth are incompatible. What contradictions does Christianity get accused of? –Jesus: God/man, Trinity: 3=1?, Justice/Mercy, Problem of evil, Hell/God is love

Paradox What is a paradox? –What at first appears to be a contradiction but upon further investigation is not; the differences can be reconciled –Christianity is full of paradox but not contradiction for contradictions are false while paradoxes are not. Example: near miss

Contradictions Law of non-contradiction: a thing cannot be true and untrue at the same time and in the same respect (or what it is and what it is not). X cannot be both X and not-X at the same time in the same way. God cannot exist and not exist at the same time. One has to be true, one has to be false. Lived example: The driver next to you cannot hit you and not hit you at the same time.

Attacks against Objective Truth Relativism: all truth is subjective (aka subjectivism) –‘What you say may be true for you, but not for me. Truth is relative’. –Relativism says there is no error. (“It’s whatever” – Brandon Sand) –Would it be ok to claim that 2+2=whatever you want? Why or why not? To refute logically: The claim that all truth is subjective, (dependent upon the knower) is self- contradictory; for it claims that truth is objectively subjective.

Attacks against Objective Truth Relativism Another way to refute: –Take the relativist’s wallet

Relativism We see relativism especially when we come to ideas bearing on religion and morality: all beliefs are considered to be what individuals think and feel they are. Religious subjectivism sees religion as “true for you, but not for me,” i.e., we make up our own religions. This is very popular today. –There are subjective aspects of religion, but it is not all subjective. Why is it so popular? Can we really live in a world that operates like this?

Attacks against Objective Truth Rationalism: truth is only what can be clearly and distinctly known and proved by reason It is an “attack” on objective truth because it seeks to diminish the nature and amount of objective truth. –Remember: Objective truth is whether or not we know it, like it, or believe it To refute logically: Rationalism is irrational in that you can’t prove rationally that truth is only that which can be proved.

Attacks against Objective Truth Skepticism: a philosophical doubt in the ability for anyone to know objective truth –Absolute vs. modified –The skeptic says there is no truth To refute logically: skepticism is a self- contradiction: how would you know that you can’t know? Is this really how we live? –Sunny outside, it is or it isn’t and that’s how we live and act.

Skepticism is Self-Contradictory: “There is no truth.” Is that true? “There is not objective truth.” Is that truth objective? “Truth is not universal.” Except that truth.

Skepticism is Self-Contradictory: “No one can know truth.” Except you, I suppose. “Truth is uncertain.” Are you certain that’s certain? “All generalizations are false” Including that one?

Attacks against Objective Truth Irenicism –False tolerance: attempt to set aside differences of truth as if they do not exist –Maintains truth is irrelevant –Maintains the claims to truth only lead to conflict –Maintains that ‘peace’ is achieved by simply ignoring the differences To refute logically: remind them of the law of non-contradiction

Attacks against Objective Truth 1.Relativist (pragmatic, empiricist, emotivist) 2.Rationalist 3.Skeptic 4.Irenicist Your first “apology”: You will seek to defend objective truth against a person who falls into one of the above categories.

Alternative Theories of Truth Pragmatic Theory of Truth –Truth is what “works” –What “works” is a subjective truth in this theory. –Is everything that is practical true? (a successful lie) –Is everything that is true practical? (death) –Practical, pragmatic, “works” are all words that mean “means” as in “means to an end”. –Means need an end or else they are not practical, but an end implies something greater than simply the means, or what works, so the theory defeats itself.

Alternative Theories of Truth Empiricist Theory of Truth –Truth is what we can sense –However, we all know our senses can be deceived. (mirage) –Some things that we know to be true are not sensed at all (9x9=81) –Because of these problems it would seem very difficult to convince someone logically that truth is identical with sense.

Alternative Theories of Truth Emotivist Theory of Truth –Truth is what I feel –It feels so right how can it be wrong? We all, hopefully, know this can be a dangerous game to play. –E.g. Monster in the closet, superstitions, infatuations –Many truths are not felt. Do you feel like this is a podium? –Feelings can change with the weather…literally.

Alternative Theories of Truth: Truth is… Pragmatic: what works for me Empiricist: what I sense Emotivist: what I feel Rationalist: what is proved by reason alone We pointed out logical objections to each of the above, what logical objections are there to the objective theory?

First Apology