What is truth?

[Deidre]

So, I found out yesterday from my father, than he is half middle eastern. My grandfather, (his dad) was adopted in Italy (which I knew), by Italians who raised him there. But, his bio parents were Iranian and Syrian. Therefore, my grandfather wasn't Italian, at all. My dad therefore is half middle eastern.

My entire life, I had been raised to honor Italian and Irish traditions, because these were (what I thought were) my parents' ethnic backgrounds. Now, I will say, I'm really happy to hear this news. I've loved the middle eastern culture for a long time, mainly because of friends who introduced me to it. I love the language, the music, the customs and food. Granted, there is much more to an ethnicity than all of this, but I'm just saying - it's a culture that I enjoy and I'm excited to hear this news from my dad.

That said, though, there are still things now I am questioning. I've lived my life following one particular set of truths about my family and heritage, only to learn, that it wasn't entirely true. But, it felt true.

So if we believe that something is true, and we live our lives as if it's truth, then wouldn't it be truth? It's not like I've been living a lie, I didn't know this about my dad's background. But, now that I know, is this the new truth? Or is truth whatever we think it is...at the time?

 

[shunyadragon]

The claim of truth is the illusion of delusions of those that are insecure.

 

[Sunstone]

So if we believe that something is true, and we live our lives as if it's truth, then wouldn't it be truth?

Why would it be true just because you assumed for a number of years it was true? People once assumed the earth was flat. Was the earth flat all that while? Did it turn into a sphere only when people finally believed it was a sphere? For years, many people in Germany believed in the superiority of the so-called Aryan Race. Was there therefore such a thing as an Aryan Race at the time? Was it therefore superior to other groups?

Or is truth whatever we think it is...at the time?

Down that path lies madness.

 

[SalixIncendium]

So if we believe that something is true, and we live our lives as if it's truth, then wouldn't it be truth? It's not like I've been living a lie, I didn't know this about my dad's background. But, now that I know, is this the new truth? Or is truth whatever we think it is...at the time?

Our truths are limited to what we observe. One lives based on the information available. Once new information is obtained that is contrary to or in conflict with a current truth or set of truths and has been verified through whatever experimentation is deemed appropriate, one should discard those truths that have been disproved, then accept and live based on the new truths.


Edited for grammar

 

[siti]

The claim of truth is the illusion of delusions of those that are insecure.

Ain't that the truth!

Down that path lies madness.

And that!

...or is it?

 

[shunyadragon]

Our truths are limited to what we observe. One lives based on the information available. Once new information is obtained that is contrary to or in conflict with a current truth or set of truths and have verified these through whatever experimentation is deemed appropriate, one should discard those truths that have been disproved, then accept and live based on the new truths.

I believe over time we make observations concerning things that we consider true and false. These are the facts of observation and may be tentatively true or false, Over time we may make more observations that change our view of the facts. I am more inclined to describe the information we accumulate over time as 'knowledge' subject to change if new information becomes available. Formal methods such as those in Methodological Naturalism avoid concepts of 'truth' and anchor scientific knowledge in the progressive falsification of theories and hypothesis.

 

[shunyadragon]

Ain't that the truth!

No

 

[Enoch07]

So, I found out yesterday from my father, than he is half middle eastern. My grandfather, (his dad) was adopted in Italy (which I knew), by Italians who raised him there. But, his bio parents were Iranian and Syrian. Therefore, my grandfather wasn't Italian, at all. My dad therefore is half middle eastern.

My entire life, I had been raised to honor Italian and Irish traditions, because these were (what I thought were) my parents' ethnic backgrounds. Now, I will say, I'm really happy to hear this news. I've loved the middle eastern culture for a long time, mainly because of friends who introduced me to it. I love the language, the music, the customs and food. Granted, there is much more to an ethnicity than all of this, but I'm just saying - it's a culture that I enjoy and I'm excited to hear this news from my dad.

That said, though, there are still things now I am questioning. I've lived my life following one particular set of truths about my family and heritage, only to learn, that it wasn't entirely true. But, it felt true.

So if we believe that something is true, and we live our lives as if it's truth, then wouldn't it be truth? It's not like I've been living a lie, I didn't know this about my dad's background. But, now that I know, is this the new truth? Or is truth whatever we think it is...at the time?

Your ancestral background has no bearing on your truth. You are not locked into anything based on your DNA. Considering you already enjoy middle eastern culture food etc, and the fact you have some ancestry there. If you wanted to explore that I see no problem with it. Be warned though, that you may face discrimination by some middle eastern cultures, but with that being taken into account you should be fine.

Or if you feel as if you do infact identify with your Irish/Italian heritage that is ok too. Because even though your grandfather was not biologically irish/italian, he was adopted by them. And they did take care of him (i presume) which directly lead to you. So your Irish/Italian heritage is just as strong, because without it you may not be here at all.

Ultimately its up to you and what you feel is going to make you the happiest. Both are true and belong to you. You have a choice and nobody can fault you for chosing one, the other, or both even! Anyways, I hope you find your happiness in whatever way you see fit best!

 

[Deidre]

Why would it be true just because you assumed for a number of years it was true?

Because I didn't know that it wasn't true.

People once assumed the earth was flat.

That's ignorance, though.

Was the earth flat all that while? Did it turn into a sphere only when people finally believed it was a sphere? For years, many people in Germany believed in the superiority of the so-called Aryan Race. Was there therefore such a thing as an Aryan Race at the time? Was it therefore superior to other groups?

This is all based on ignorance though. Why would I have doubted my upbringing? That wasn't ignorance, I never had a reason to not believe my dad's ethnic background, and he pushed his Italian side all the while, so I never would have questioned it, really.

Down that path lies madness.

Then you must be mad, lol because you have beliefs that you feel are true.

 

[SabahTheLoner]

The weird thing about truth is that you have to know it without being able to describe it. You can define the word truth, but not why something is, or sometimes even what is, true.

 

[Deidre]

Your ancestral background has no bearing on your truth. You are not locked into anything based on your DNA. Considering you already enjoy middle eastern culture food etc, and the fact you have some ancestry there. If you wanted to explore that I see no problem with it. Be warned though, that you may face discrimination by some middle eastern cultures, but with that being taken into account you should be fine.

Or if you feel as if you do infact identify with your Irish/Italian heritage that is ok too. Because even though your grandfather was not biologically irish/italian, he was adopted by them. And they did take care of him (i presume) which directly lead to you. So your Irish/Italian heritage is just as strong, because without it you may not be here at all.

Ultimately its up to you and what you feel is going to make you the happiest. Both are true and belong to you. You have a choice and nobody can fault you for chosing one, the other, or both even! Anyways, I hope you find your happiness in whatever way you see fit best!

This is very comforting, thank you. I'm just processing it all, and it's all good, honestly. But, I didn't think I'd wonder all these ''what if's,'' you know? (Just a caveat, my mom's side is Irish. To the best of my knowledge. I should start adding that disclaimer in, now. lol)

What's interesting about life in general, is that all it would take is just one different move that my grandfather or his bio parents could have made, and where would I be. Would I be in the US? Would I be me? It's just been interesting and weird all at the same time, to take in what my father told me yesterday. But this could be true for us all, when we think about it. Imagine if your parents made one different choice....would you be you? Where would you live? etc...

But our ethnicity isn't our identity...but it feels like my life would have taken a different direction (not good or bad, just different) had I known the truth. So going back to the original topic...we can only know what we know, so that was my truth.

 

[siti]

No

No what?

 

[Enoch07]

Because I didn't know that it wasn't true.

That's ignorance, though.

This is all based on ignorance though. Why would I have doubted my upbringing? That wasn't ignorance, I never had a reason to not believe my dad's ethnic background, and he pushed his Italian side all the while, so I never would have questioned it, really.

Then you must be mad, lol because you have beliefs that you feel are true.

Best not to listen to them grouchy people. They can be bitter when it comes to truth.

 

[Enoch07]

This is very comforting, thank you. I'm just processing it all, and it's all good, honestly. But, I didn't think I'd wonder all these ''what if's,'' you know? (Just a caveat, my mom's side is Irish. To the best of my knowledge. I should start adding that disclaimer in, now. lol)

Its normal when presented with new info to process. "Follow thy heart" as your avatar says. You got a good head on your shoulders, trust it and you should be fine.

 

[Spiderman]

 

[shunyadragon]

No what?

Not the truth.

 

[shunyadragon]

I eat my roots and tubers.

 

[sayak83]

So, I found out yesterday from my father, than he is half middle eastern. My grandfather, (his dad) was adopted in Italy (which I knew), by Italians who raised him there. But, his bio parents were Iranian and Syrian. Therefore, my grandfather wasn't Italian, at all. My dad therefore is half middle eastern.

My entire life, I had been raised to honor Italian and Irish traditions, because these were (what I thought were) my parents' ethnic backgrounds. Now, I will say, I'm really happy to hear this news. I've loved the middle eastern culture for a long time, mainly because of friends who introduced me to it. I love the language, the music, the customs and food. Granted, there is much more to an ethnicity than all of this, but I'm just saying - it's a culture that I enjoy and I'm excited to hear this news from my dad.

That said, though, there are still things now I am questioning. I've lived my life following one particular set of truths about my family and heritage, only to learn, that it wasn't entirely true. But, it felt true.

So if we believe that something is true, and we live our lives as if it's truth, then wouldn't it be truth? It's not like I've been living a lie, I didn't know this about my dad's background. But, now that I know, is this the new truth? Or is truth whatever we think it is...at the time?

Objective Truth
State of affairs that are independent of one's beliefs about the matter. For example who one's biological parents are does not depend on what one actually believes.
Subjective Truth
State of affairs that are partly or wholly dependent on one's belief about the matter. Subjective truths can be personal(depends only on your belief) or communal (depends on the beliefs of the entire community). Personal subjective truth may be the things like one's love for her spouse. Communal subjective truth include things like normative nature of the laws in a country.

 

[sun rise]

After my wife's parents died she found out that she was part Irish and that an Irish relative had gone to California during the gold rush and was never heard from again.

That had been hidden from her because her "proper English" parents were prejudiced against the Irish and would not admit to having Irish relatives.

There's a PBS show "Finding Your Roots" that has had some surprises for those studied and is about to start a new season.

 

[osgart]

what is truth? than ask what is life? If life has a purpose it is for life itself. and life is for the compassionate, L love I innocence F for E everybody. So innocence is truth. and yet the human condition has evil. actions without just cause; evil. if humans would only love innocence and not evil they would seek the welfare of all others as deserves.

yet an evil person goes on in their heart Me, and to hell with what ain't me. they exalt themselves, and degenerate others. and they choose to stand among a false pride of others who hate without just cause. ever seeking dominance and superiority over others. and this is contrary to the heart of life.

life the giver. evil the taker.

So life must defend itself against what should never be.

the pride of the innocent is in charity. to lift up what has honor and compassion and deserves, no matter their plight.


and that's the truth to me.

 

[LuisDantas]

That said, though, there are still things now I am questioning. I've lived my life following one particular set of truths about my family and heritage, only to learn, that it wasn't entirely true. But, it felt true.

So if we believe that something is true, and we live our lives as if it's truth, then wouldn't it be truth? It's not like I've been living a lie, I didn't know this about my dad's background. But, now that I know, is this the new truth? Or is truth whatever we think it is...at the time?

Your beliefs and motivations are true if you were honest with yourself while building them.

That the relationship between them and consensual reality is not always predictable and under your control does not change that.