Truth
'Truth' is the conformity to fact or reality.
'Truth' is the exact accordance with that:
Speaking "the truth" means speaking conform the facts. Two examples of acknowledging the truth, in conformity to the facts:
'Joshua was old and stricken in years; 'Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll. And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll.' Whether you recognize truth depends on your standard of evidenceExample.
Things exist. And things testify of their creator. How? By their existence. 'Existence' is the standard of evidence. Under this standard of evidence, it follows that the existence of a thing is the sufficient evidence that proves that the thing is created. After establishing that a thing is created, it could be examined:
'Existence' is the standard of evidence to recognize creation. Two examplesTwo examples of the probative witness of a thing, under the same standard of evidence. ('Probative' means 'serving for proof'.)
First example I spot an airplane: I see the airplane exists. Therefore, I know the airplane is created.
I do not know:
I do not need a factory visit or a meeting with Mr. Boeing to be persuaded. To see the airplane's existence is enough to have this fact established. Simple. Second example I see a bird: I know the bird exists. Therefore, I know the bird is created.
The same standard of evidence can be used for all thingsThings testify of their creator by their existence.
This standard of evidence to recognize creation applies to all things that exist. Evidence of your CreatorUnderstanding what truth is, and being aware that 'existence' is the standard of evidence for creation, it follows that:
Given this evidence of our Creator, you are without excuse when you fail to recognize his existence. These things are confirmed in the King James bible, the book of Romans, chapters 1 and 2 (you can read it here on page 792 and 793). Is your worldview realistic? This is your responsibilityReality versus your perception'Reality' is the actual being of any thing; truth; fact; in distinction from mere appearance. Your worldview is your perception of reality: how you think the world works.
These are two different things:
You determine your perspectiveYou decide which facts you:
The truth versus your desired appearanceThe ensuing frame of reference is your worldview. And it's your choice to either:
Either the truth...Worldview correction
Aligning your worldview to reality is simple. You must allow your view to be corrected by the truth. For this purpose, make sure that your standard of evidence is realistic (see above). ...or your desired appearanceWorldview validation
Willful ignorance If you want to embrace your view in spite of truth, you embrace a lie. Notwithstanding, you can persuade yourself that your view is true. You can do this by:
This is willful ignorance. Or tactical stupidity. Presented without further comment: Circular reasoning Moreover, you can seek to validate your view by 'cherry-picking' supporting evidence. This will yield self assurance. However, you select this evidence by the standard you seek to validate. This is self-referential. And validating your view by your view is circular reasoning. And self deceit. In other words...'Worldview validation', in spite of truth, translates into 'self justification' in spite of truth. Hence it requires willful ignorance and circular reasoning.
Self justificationSelf justification requires willful ignorance, which is self deception. The required willful ignorance ensues from the adjustment of your standard of evidence to justify either:
By using your personal worldview as your private measure to confirm your worldview (self justification), you commit a form of circular reasoning (willful ignorance), which is a fallacy that gives you false assurance (self deception). By embracing this false assurance, you are not aware that you are deceiving yourself. And if you think you know, you actually don't know. Otherwise, you would not be doing it. This however is only realized when your self justification can no longer be sustained. This can happen by personal choice or by personal failure, which failure will happen inevitably when you die. And then what? |
'God is not the author of confusion'