Exploring Truth, Reality, and Perception in Our Lives
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Chapter 1: Understanding Truth and Reality
When it comes to critical decisions, would you trust a plane built on “personal truth” or one grounded in actual physics?
According to a national survey, 55% of individuals aged 18 to 29 believe that truth is subjective, while only 42% uphold the concept of an absolute truth. In contrast, among those aged 41-55, 59% affirm the existence of an absolute truth. I suspect this percentage is even higher for engineers.
For those who support the notion of absolute truth, we understand that one plus one consistently equals two. Admittedly, some might argue this is contingent on the numeral system we’re using or even the circumstances of quantum mechanics. However, under conventional conditions, one plus one remains two, independent of personal feelings.
A common analogy is the story of six blind men who each touched different parts of an elephant and described it based on their limited experiences. This highlights the distinction between perception and reality, not the existence of absolute truth.
Even within human relationships, truth is present. For example, if a woman tells a man, “It’s fine,” the truth lies in the fact that she uttered those words. However, the interpretation of those words can vary significantly between the two parties involved.
Perception does not equate to truth. The notion of “my truth” versus “your truth” can lead to misunderstanding.
Section 1.1: A Personal Anecdote
Let me share a personal experience. When my brother and his wife adopted a puppy, they often confined it to a crate for long periods. My mother, witnessing this, believed it to be unfair and occasionally let the puppy out, leading to conflict with my brother and sister-in-law when the puppy misbehaved. My mother confided in me, expressing her distress over the puppy’s confinement.
During a visit, I observed my brother repeatedly placing the dog back in its crate despite my efforts to give it attention. Years later, my sister-in-law denied that they ever crated the dog, even though multiple eyewitnesses—including myself and my mother—had seen it happen.
Thus, her “personal truth” diverged from the actual events, despite her firm belief in it. My brother eventually acknowledged the dog’s crating, but his perspective changed over time.
Subsection 1.1.1: Implications of Denying Reality
The first video, Perception Vs Reality | Alimohamed Jaffer | TEDxYouth@AKAMombasa, explores how our individual perceptions shape our understanding of truth and reality.
Section 1.2: The Consequences of Misunderstanding
Is this denial of truth problematic? For those close to her, yes—it suggests a capacity for gaslighting. However, the ramifications can be even more severe in different contexts.
For instance, if you were an engineer tasked with designing an airplane, what might happen if you chose to believe that one plus one doesn’t have to equal two? Would you be surprised by a catastrophic failure? Would you accept responsibility, or cling to your flawed conception of truth, potentially endangering more lives?
While this example may seem overly simplistic, it underscores the serious consequences of dismissing objective truth in fields like engineering.
Chapter 2: The Nature of Perception in Reality
The second video, Do We See Reality As It Is and Can We Trust Our Perceptions of Reality? | Donald Hoffman, delves into how our perceptions influence our understanding of reality, prompting a deeper reflection on the nature of truth.
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