Truth

Only the whole (god/cosmos) is the truth (the sum)

Only the whole is the truth.

The absolute truth must contain everything (everything taken into account, everything tangible and intangible, everything inclusive, even the nonsense). From a human perspective (which is part of the whole) this is impossible and therefore elusive.

Some may call that "God", the all, the cosmos. I myself consider it an "abstract energy". Our thinking cuts the whole into pieces, tree, river, human being, but it is one transforming whole. Our sense of connection to the whole, or part of the whole, may bring us closer to absolute truth, but that will be impossible to prove. It is easy to explain away, but it must be experienced (and that can only be done from within yourself, through your own search).

You have to frame the practical everyday truth in terms of perspective, definition and resolution.

In a few steps towards truth

Only absolute truth (the whole) is unlimited

Truth must be framed in order to be true. From a human perspective, truth is always a cut-away piece of the larger coherent whole. When you take a measurement, you must record exactly what size you are measuring with and in what precise conditions you are measuring, otherwise you will not be able to "catch" the truth. One impossibility already arises here. You can never repeat a measurement exactly at the same time, in the same place. Every moment is unique, so an exact measurement is impossible.

You can of course repeat a measurement in almost the same circumstances.

The illusionist teaches us that what we see is not always what seems to be happening. Put three dots on paper and you cannot un-see the (non-existent) triangle between them. And all too easily we see faces in objects (e.g. a front of a car, 2 lamps and a grille). What you see with your eyes is made into a "beating picture" in your head. As a result, you consciously or unconsciously influence what you see. Sometimes there can be projection (what you want to see, or what's on your mind) or you use (unconscious) memories (of similar things) to fill in gaps.

Your eyes see (~measure) a reflection of light, from your memory an image of it is supplemented, the reality as you see it.

Triangle

Speak the truth

Truth can be strongly influenced by language, or rather the translation of reality into words. How precisely can you describe reality? Can you capture a real tree in the word "tree", shouldn't I explain what kind of tree, the age, the nutrition and the conditions in which it grew? In every detail you can go on almost indefinitely, so we make selections of what we consider "the essentials", a strong simplification. What do you personally focus on and is that transparent (are you aware of projections)?

Be precise in your words

Often ask people "What exactly do you mean?" Because we easily talk past each other with different definitions for the same words. Especially with comprehensive words, such as "the environment" or "nature". The more specific your words, the closer it gets to the truth.

The sky is blue! Fact?

You should also look at the resolution of "the truth". How true is it? You can say "the sun does not shine at night" and by that mean that the sun is not in our sky at night'. People understand what you mean, but of course it's not right. The sun always shines, but not on all sides of our planet. But does the sun always shine? That depends on how far back in time you think. On the human (time) scale you can say that the sun always shines.

The truth that the sky is blue is not true for colorblind people or some animals. In practice, of course, you cannot take all perspectives and exceptions into account. In general, the sky is blue, but that is not scientifically correct. Color is in your head and is a reflection of light on matter, in this case the atmosphere. In addition, you must frame in "the truth" what you mean by blue, which exact color, or is it a transition from light to dark blue. Really bright blue or are there also white or gray clouds?

Good or bad?

An ice cold shower on a hot summer day? Or an ice-cold shower in the winter cold? Good or bad depends on the context. Water is just water, hot and cold is temperature related to yourself in a certain moment (A fresh dip would be great right in a hot summer).

"Was it a big man?"" The boy nods yes. The bodybuilder says it was a "scruffy little guy".

Our brain projects dualism

Our brain simplifies reality and puts everything into boxes from our own perspective. Known or unknown? Is something good or bad? Killing is bad(?), but so is euthanasia(?) Or killing for self-protection(?) Killing animals for food? Or kill plants for food? Who can really judge? Only when you can take everything into consideration can you make a "good" judgment.

Investigate it yourself

Many things are so "normal" that you no longer see how "unique" they are.

What's your name? Is that you? Or is it just a label? Just like you name your pet. Wildlife has no names.

Ever since you were born you breathe in and out, one long journey. Are you breathing in or out? Or does it come naturally? How much influence do you have on it?

Do colors exist? Is what you see really what is? Or do we actually see the world just like a bat, through a scan of the world, with which we build a model.

What is the source of your "knowing"? Perhaps you read highly regarded books, by people with weighty names. Are there things that you know that have a foundation? Who you know to the core? I'm curious!

Do you know what matter is? You may know E = mc2. A wonderful formula. To what extent can you check for yourself whether this is true?

Even every fabrication, every lie, every fantasy can be traced back to truth, it is a derivative of something that exists, a variant. A fiction consists of combinations of things that you know from reality, or that others have ever deduced from reality. For example, I can imagine that legends of dragons are based, for example, on seeing (fossil) dinosaur skeletons.

If a child lies, you can see with a attentive look that they do, the child starts laughing or looks away. It works the same way in adult humans, but they may be better trained to hide signals. A lie also has a reason, the desire to hide something, withhold, a motivation. A conscious and wise person can see through that, but at the same time will have little interest in someone who distorts reality too much.

In your fantasy you can imagine your dream partner. You puzzle the most beautiful pieces you know into your ideal. But what isn't included in that is everything you don't know. Surprising, mysterious elements. It's wise to go for the "good guy", but the "bad guy" is so much more exciting! That's why the grass is always greener on the other side. Most of what you already have, you know. That which you don't have often seems more beautiful, more desirable, more mysterious.

Fun or educational?

Forward it to someone who might also be interested. Let nature (including ourselves) grow and prosper!

Donations welcome!

I like to sell the truth. What is the truth worth to you? Or, well, something close to it. And fantasy, I sell that too :) Donate to NRW

Feedback also welcome!

Fun, interesting, stupid, wrong or hurtful? Let me know. Substantive and substantiated feedback is appreciated (and perhaps processed).

Feedback?

Do you have an interesting addition, comment, grammar mistake (sorry!) or do you strongly disagree with what is said here? Or want to share your appreciation? Leave a message and I may add it to the article. If you would like to receive a response, please also enter your e-mail address (but not necessary).








Articles

Towards truth

  • Who knows the truth? A matter of perspective!
  • Who really knows what a tree is?
  • Why is our reality an illusion? Nice saw!
  • Modeling like a bat. Seeing = modelling
  • Who am I? Imagine your identity as a country.