Can we agree on what is true?

Like many of the previous posts mention, I too believe that we view truth through a variety of lens. These lens are formed through our environment, upbringing, social status, culture, gender and all the other factors on the infinite list of what makes each individual unique. I think my quest, or rather the question I would like to answer is, when do we as a school, community, society or world agree on what is true. When do we all look at a situation, through our infinite lens, and agree on a truth. Is there a way to quantify such a situation, or is it innate?

Truth as Subjective and Bias...

What is truth and how is it uncovered?

Ideas deemed "fact" or "truth" are subject to interpretation. What one might identify as true, might not be the case for another. Factors that might contribute to disparate beliefs are, likely, closely associated with political beliefs, social class, gender, religious affiliation, and ethnic background (among others).

During one's quest to uncover "truth," we are charged with the obligation to sift through information and gather sufficient evidence to support that which is labeled as "truth." Uncovering "truth" is a painstaking process. Truth is perceived as subjective and bias in nature.

Does teaching in the South Bronx make me a social constructivist on a truth quest? I kind of want to be more scientific...

Question: What is truth? How does one uncover it?

It sounds cliché, but aren’t there so many truths for any single event? Uncovering these individual “truths” is perhaps easier than defining or identifying one single truth. Observing, questioning, and experiencing are some ways to uncover truth. However there must be much more to this process.

For elementary students, identifying the truth may sometimes appear so simple. This one lied and the other told the truth. But is it really that simple? What happens when a child steals because he or she is hungry or in need? Or hits because that is truly all is known of love? Yes it’s true that these children misbehaved or did something “wrong,” but is that the real issue? If a child grows up in an abusive home, then what kinds of truth does that child know?

What about when truth is manipulated and twisted to achieve a means to an end? Is truth something that is genuine and pure? Could it be raw emotion in reaction to events?

When one undertakes research, it’s definitely useful to recognize that there are many truths and many ways to uncover these truths.

This first post reveals the thinking of this blogger on the first day of class.