Victoria Philosophy Salon

Topic: Can We Know Objective Truth?

Chairman:
Mary Kennedy

Moderator:
Spencer Sinclaire

Meetup Date:
Wednesday, March 18th. 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., with a 15 minute break at 8:00 p.m.

Meetup Location:
Upstairs at The Bent Mast, 512 Simcoe St. Victoria, BC, V8V 1L8

Members:
If you plan to attend, please take a moment and RSVP. If your plans change and you cannot attend, to the right of your name there are three dots, please click on them and move yourself to “Not Going.” Thank you.

Quotes:
"Imagine a world in which we are all enlightened by objective truths rather than offended by them." ~ Neil deGrasse Tyson

"Science is the disinterested search for the objective truth about the material world." ~ Richard Dawkins

Synopsis:
Definition

Objective truth refers to statements or facts that are true for everyone, regardless of individual feelings, biases, or cultural perspectives. It is the opposite of subjective truth, which depends on personal opinions or experiences. An objective statement can be verified against reality and is either true or false, independent of anyone’s agreement or disagreement. For example, saying “The Statue of Liberty is in New York” is objectively true, while “Vanilla is the best ice cream flavor” is subjective and varies by individual preference.

Philosophical Perspective

In philosophy, objectivity is understood as truth that can be confirmed independently of any observer. Something is objective if it remains valid even when considered outside the viewpoint of a conscious being. Mathematics, scientific laws, and historical events often exemplify objective truths because they can be verified and are not contingent on personal perception. Philosophers also explore nuances, such as whether objectivity is absolute or exists on a spectrum with subjectivity, and how intersubjectivity (shared understanding) relates to objective knowledge. The question of whether we can know objective truth is a complex one, deeply rooted in philosophical discussions. Objectivity is often associated with reality, truth, and reliability, suggesting that objective truths exist independently of any conscious awareness. However, this notion is contested, with various philosophical perspectives challenging the idea of a wholly perspective-independent truth.

Philosophers have debated the existence of objective truth for thousands of years, with some arguing for a single, universal reality that is mind-independent. Others, like Nietzsche, suggest that truth is relative and can be interpreted in different ways, indicating that objective truth may not exist at all.

The distinction between subjectivity and objectivity is a fundamental idea in philosophy, particularly in epistemology and metaphysics. It has evolved through the work of philosophers over centuries, with various understandings of this distinction.
In summary, while there is a strong philosophical tradition that supports the existence of objective truth, it is a contested concept with multiple realizations and well-documented limits. The question of whether we can know objective truth remains an open and debated topic in philosophy.

Watch: The Nature of Truth – Epistomology | WIRELESS PHILOSOPHY on Youtube: https://youtu.be/8Y5cftds7-8?si=rBEopapow8X0Ew6D