Can there be an absolute and a subjective truth at the same time?
Person 1 says, what we do not see doesn't exist. For example, if no one is able to see this one tree, it does not exist. So truth is tied to the observer.
Person 2 says, there can only be one absolute truth. The tree exists if we see it or not because truth it not tied to the observer but rather exists independently.
Person 3 says, there can be an absolute truth but also a subjective one that only applies to the individual itself. It may be true that if you are not able to see the tree, it doesn’t exist in your perspective but regardless there can be an absolute truth that determines whether the tree exists or not.
What do you think, who is right? Or do you have another answer all together?
Person 2 says, there can only be one absolute truth. The tree exists if we see it or not because truth it not tied to the observer but rather exists independently.
Person 3 says, there can be an absolute truth but also a subjective one that only applies to the individual itself. It may be true that if you are not able to see the tree, it doesn’t exist in your perspective but regardless there can be an absolute truth that determines whether the tree exists or not.
What do you think, who is right? Or do you have another answer all together?
Comments (2)
Great question! Always remember that the philosophy of life isn't like, say, practicing engineering. In engineering it's either-or. The design/formula either works or doesn't work and if it doesn't work, the project fails.
Much of life ( the philosophy of) or the human condition is not either-or it's both; both A&B. Accordingly, most truth consist of subject-object or a combination of subjective truth and objective truth. And so the one salient point there is to resist the temptation to dichotomize... .
And so in your OP you could restate (not that you need to) it to ask is there both objective and subjective truth's operating concurrently, during any intellectual exercise (in cognition)? And to what degree are they operating ( 60-40, 50-50, etc.)... .
But the question of "absolute" truth is another matter altogether...