1 of 24

Write now Article Tools

Introduction
The ambiguous answer to what truth is has been explained with regards to cognitive processes. Nonetheless, truth has also been explained in terms of theoretical frameworks such as the law of excluded middle, the tripartite conjunction approach and the attributive approach to truth. Furthermore, the media and its communication techniques have been explained using the attributive approach to truth and the argument is supported with respect to the agenda-setting theory and framing. Finally, the attributive approach to truth has been compared to the relational theory of truth. From this, critics about the relational theory are made and flaws are explained with regards to the attributive approach.

What is truth?
It is human nature to always seek truth. It is argued that this urge of seeking the truth in intellectual beings is the drive to know true beliefs (Sosa, 2002). Sosa (2002) raises the question on whether humans spend their time and energy in seeking valuable true beliefs. This is due to the fact that not every truth is a valuable belief. For example, if one decides to count how many grains there are in a bucket of sand, it does not bring any valuable truth. This occurs because of an absence of preceding interest in this particular truth. (Sosa, 2002). On the other hand, it can be argued that one might take time in counting the grains in a bucket of sand out of curiosity to seek truth. From this statement, it can therefore be said that humans seek truth to be able to know and believe something as true rather than not true (Sosa, 2002). However, this does not entail that: "if all a belief has to be said for it is that it is true, then we prefer to have it
than not to have it" (Sosa, 2002). This means that if one is interested in a particular question, he/she would rather know and believe the truth rather than a false answer to the question. However, innate drives to seek truth are ruled out in such scenario as it is believed that this urge is triggered simply by the truth it will provide (Sosa, 2002).
Controversially, Guba (1990; Stajduhar et al., 2001) brings forwards a view which states that because there are no foundational processes to seek the truth and its un-truth, it is impossible to obtain ultimate truth. Therefore, truth arises from the best informed and most sophisticated understanding which at some time is given consensus Guba (1990; Stajduhar et al., 2001). The author continues by explaining that reality is formed due to complex

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Is there such a thing as absolute truth?
We want to hear your view. Write now!