Now having discussed the truth in science, what ways of knowing are more likely than other to lead to the truth in science? Since scientific truth is largely determined by proof from experiments and not from observations, claims or predictions, reasoning would be more likely to lead to truth than the other three ways of knowing. For example, the earth is round, that is a scientific truth. However, for those who lived centuries ago believed that the earth was flat. They created this truth from perception, if the world was truly round then we would be falling off, if a stone falls straight down it means that the world is flat. By using perception, they created an incorrect scientific truth. However, some scientists figured out that the moon is not a disc painted in the sky but an actual solid sphere (hinting the planet may be similar), there was a round shadow on the moon, no edge of the earth was never found etc. through the use of deductive reasoning, scientists were able to take the facts they gathered to form a correct scientific truth. Therefore, using reasoning as a way of leading to scientific truth is much more accurate than perception or even language and emotion. For example, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, this is a scientific truth. For those who lived in the 3rd century perceived this statement as true because they were able to witness it every day. If you or I had been there at that time, the people would tell us that exact statement. However, both the perception and the language of that statement are scientifically false. The language infers that the daily event suggests the sun is the object that moves (and that is not true). Therefore not only is perception inaccurate for scientific truth but language as well.
The truth as well as the accurate way of knowing in art is almost the complete opposite to science. The truth in art is the true meaning and emotion of the piece/composition that comes from the mind/eye of the creator (for he/she is the only one who understands the true meaning of the creation). The truth in art is the complete opposite to science. Science is objective and emotion free while art is subjective and full of emotion. The truth in art isn’t like a truth you would receive in a scientific experiment; the truth in art is not literal but instead containing an inner layer of truth. Therefore, since the truth in art is the opposite of the truth in science, doesn’t that mean that the accurate way of knowing the truth would be the opposite as well? The use of perception and language in art is the proper way of knowing the truth as opposed to using reasoning. This is because in perception and language the audience/viewer is interpreting the work of art (this includes other forms e.g. dance, film) through a variety of ways. For example, language, the viewer is able to understand the true meaning of the work of art through the body language, mise-en-scene, the texture of the strokes on a painting etc. Through the perception of emotion, meaning and ultimately truth as well as language the viewer is able to detect the true meaning within a work of art. Even though emotion is not as likely to lead to truth in art as perception and language it can still play a role in finding the truth in art. For example, a person who just had a fight with a family would be very angry. That person looking/listening at (or to) a work of art that is expressing anger (or maybe even family issues) would allow the viewer to relate to the work of art and therefore understand it and uncovering the meaning. Reasoning on the other hand is the least likely way of leading to the truth in art. For example, if one or two artists use bright yellow paint really well in their painting, it doesn’t necessarily mean that if another painter uses bright yellow paint he/she will be able to create the same positive effect. Inductive reasoning in this case is not effective in interpreting the truth within a work of art.
One area of knowing that contains similar aspects from science as well as art is Mathematics. For the truth within mathematics is that there is only one answer/one truth for a mathematic equation/question. However, the ways of knowing are a hybrid of science and art. Which in this case both reason as well as language can be applied to find the truth within mathematics. This is because reason involves the use of logic as well as inductive and deductive reasoning to figure out patterns of numbers (multiplication, addition, prime numbers, factorizing etc.), equations, formulas as well as symbols. Not only can reason be used but language goes hand in hand with reason as well. Mathematics is also a language that is spoken universally. Numbers, patterns and symbols etc. are all components just like words or grammar in any other oral language. Instead of being spoken like a language, mathematics is expressed. Through the proper understanding of the language, any person can utilize the patterns, numbers etc. and therefore apply the proper reasoning (whether than be inductive or deductive reasoning). Emotion as well as perception do not play a large role in finding the truth within mathematics because they involved the human senses which in terms of the truth, do not apply. This is because the truth in mathematics is dependent on numbers and calculations, not through feelings or senses.
Are some ways of knowing more likely than others to lead to truth? Yes, some are. With different areas of knowledge come different truths that are distinct and vary from other areas. With distinct truths come easier ways of leading to truth that others. It is easier to use reason as a way of knowing than it is for perception, emotion or language to lead to the truth in science. The truth in the arts is easily lead to through the use of perception, language as well as emotion compared to the use of reason (complete opposite of the truth in science). The truth in mathematics can be accurately found through a mixture of science and the arts – which in this case is reason and language while emotion and perception are not reliable due to the human senses. Overall, depending on the area of knowing and the form of truth ultimately reflects different accurate ways of knowing that lead to truth.
Definition of truth according to ‘The Collins English Dictionary’
