Perspective, Truth, Reality: Are They All the Same?
Growing up, children learn that truth is the opposite of a lie. They learn that truth is good, and lies are evil; truth leads to reward while lies result in punishment. Somewhere along the journey into adulthood, this image gets distorted. In their adolescence, teenagers learn to question truth. They learn to examine issues closely and challenge ideas that they have believed true for their entire lives. The “truth” slowly becomes less defined, until eventually, they get to a point in life where they find themselves asking questions like: what is “truth”? Does the “truth” really exist? Has it ever existed?
So, to the puzzled teenagers out there debating the existence of truth, the answer is no. There is no such thing as “the truth,” at least not in the generic sense of the word. Truth isn’t simply the opposite of a lie; there isn’t one universal truth that is widely accepted. Instead, every single human being has their own unique point of view. These unparalleled outlooks help to form one’s own personal truth: the only legitimate form that exists.
“… the answer is no. There is no such things as ‘the truth’…”
People, with their different political views or socioeconomic standings, cultivate unique individual perspectives. For every person living on this Earth, there’s a different truth to be told, a different story to be said, and a different life that needs to be shared. There is not simply one universal truth. Just take a look at modern day politics. Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are two people with very distinct political views. These candidates have dissimilar introductions to political power, leading them to embrace practically polar opposite views on domestic policies and global affairs. These contrasting views lead both candidates to two separate personal truths.
As children grow to be teenagers, everything changes. They begin to question truth. They examine the reality of its existence. Until, one day they realize that the two people who have the potential of running our country don’t accept the same truth. Thus finding themselves trapped by the concept that truth in the way it has always been preached to them isn’t correct.
