What we can deduce from Godel’s findings is that even in a mathematical context, a
formula of rational a-priori numbers can be formulated in such a way that they are 25
untrue.
Perception is important when deciding a truth, particularly in the arts, including
literature, poetry, music and visual arts. Perceptions have changed over time, and what
was once thought beautiful may no longer be considered so. Similarly, some kinds of
truth can be contextual depending on time, point of view and place. For example, 30
Indonesia is famous for its Gamalan musicians. The instruments are tuned to different
scales from western instruments which makes the sounds unappealing to western ears
who are accustomed to western scales. The same would be true for Indonesian
musicians listening to western music.
A historian prides himself on the ability to state the truth about certain historical events 35
or situations by giving an unbiased account of an event. However, lack of bias is nearly impossible, as a historian will always be affected by his environment and social surroundings. There are certain historical events about which we are certain because we have proof. For example, we know that the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were hit by nuclear bombs during World War H, and no matter what context we look at, 40
this is true. However, there are other situations that we cannot be so sure about. A prime example is the Armenian genocide. In May 1915 the Ottoman empire (now Turkey) is
1 Kurt Godel, Austrian mathematician.
2 This is a method of demonstrating Godel’s theorems in word form.
2
believed to have carried out genocide upon the people of bordering Armenia. The
official position of the Turkish government until this day is complete denial that a
massacre occurred. However, in Armenia historians tell us that thousands of innocent 45
Armenians were slaughtered by Ottoman soldiers. This demonstrates how the context
changes our understanding of the truth of historical events.
‘Thou shalt not kill’ is a tenet that a religion with billions of followers states in its first teachings and is generally accepted not just as a piece of guidance on how to behave but as a moral absolute, and as a statement of true fact. However, ‘why do we kill people 50
who are killing people to show that killing people is wrong?’3 A person convicted of murder in the state of Texas is automatically eligible for the death penalty. It is generally considered unacceptable to kill, however, if the person is being punished for a crime that he has committed then the death penalty is in some countries applicable and accepted, thereby contradicting the so-called ‘moral truth’ put forward by religion. 55
The Iraq war has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, mainly Iraqi civilians who
have no part in the actual conflict but who were living in Baghdad when bombs started
landing, or simply present in a market the day a suicide bomber struck. During the
initial phases of ‘operation Iraqi liberation’, President George W. Bush and UK prime
minister Tony Blair claimed they had evidence that Saddam Hussein was building 60
‘Weapons of Mass Destruction’ in his country - claims which turned out to be totally
unfounded. These claims were used to support the ‘doctrine of Just War’. The two
countries’ political leaders then changed tack and used the excuse ‘the end justifies the
means’ to support their actions. The name ‘Operation Iraqi Liberation’ gives people a
sense of patriotism and that what they are doing is right. The context in which the 65
3
3
governments of the USA and UK put the evidence for the invasion has given the impression of a just war. This context was, however, built up using emotive language, colourful displays of patriotism and many fallacies. This context was required in order make their ‘just war’ (jus ad bellum, jus in bellum) cause true.
From the point of view of the leaders of the USA and the United Kingdom, the war in Iraq is justified; however if we were to examine the standpoint of the insurgency in Iraq then we see a clear difference in perception of the truth. The West believes it is liberating while the Iraqi insurgency see ‘liberation’ as an invasion. Once again, the truth of the situation depends on the context. We see from this that one’s perception of ‘truth’ is dependent on things such as cultural background and political viewpoint.
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The table I am sitting at to write this essay appears to be hard - another a-priori truth. I know this by using my senses and I can deduce empirically that the table is suitable to be rested upon. However, scientifically, I know that this table is mainly empty space for there are spaces in between the molecules held in a lattice, vibrating at high speed.
Richard Dawkins likens atoms at a molecular level to balls in a sports hall, one ball or 80
atom in one sports hall, with the next atom in the next sports hall along. So the hardest of materials are, in fact, predominantly empty space. Dawkins describes us as living and evolving in a ‘middle world’ where we move at middle speeds and are of middle size.
We can comprehend that if we run into a wall we will knock ourselves out. If we had
neutrino brains and we had developed from neutrino ancestors, our brains would be able 85
to process the spaces between the atoms and we would in fact be able to move through
walls. What we perceive is not a direct translation of the world around us. Each
organism has developed from different ancestors and perceives the world to his own
benefit. A monkey, Richard Dawkins claims, needs to be able to visualise a 3D world of
4
branches and trees, whereas a water skater lias no neea tor a 3d world or a perception of 90
gravity because its whole world is on the surface of a pond. The context in which the world is interpreted changes from species to species. It is convenient for humans to see colours (differentiating wave-lengths) because we live predominantly in the light, however for a bat living in darkness most of its life, it is more suitable for it to use its ears to perceive colours. The context changes the usefulness of external sensory 95
information. Evolution has enabled humans to operate successfully in the context of Dawkins’ middle world.
We exist in a world where we must make sense of situations as we find them. That may involve making judgements and evaluating historical, artistic, mathematical, religious and moral information. I believe that there is no such thing as absolute truth, and that 100
Margaret Atwood was right when she said ‘context is all’.
Bibliography
- TED Educational Documentaries. ‘Queerer than we can suppose’ - Richard Dawkins ,
- Theory of Knowledge, Alehin N, 2003 John Murray Ltd, London
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(date visited: 29 january 2008)
by
fitths (student)
