True or False
By alanmezger | August 21, 2008
Remember those early days of school when you had true/false tests. I must admit I liked those exams. Most people did. You could usually whiz right through them. They were especially nice during the last class of the day so when you were done you could get outside and play – the important part of life. Furthermore you always had a chance at success. After all, if you didn’t have a clue, you at least had a 50% chance of getting it right. And if you did have a clue, then you could probably use some of that logic you were learning and increase the odds.
But there was a big problem with the true/false tests. They were written by teachers who were not omniscient, and sometimes lacking honest motives. Sometimes they didn’t word those tests well, leaving the answer with a high degree of uncertainty, even to the Einsteins in the class. Sometimes those teachers simply didn’t know all the facts about the issues. That may have made the false answers true, or the true answers false. And then there was always the personality and intention of the teacher. That had to brought into play because of the proverbial “trick” question. They wanted a statement to appear to be false when it was really true, or vice versa.
So in essence the true/false tests often tested your knowledge of the teacher more than your knowledge of the subject. And it took a long time in school to figure that out. Some people never figured it out. Some people are still figuring it out. Just because someone you think knows the subject says something is true does not necessarily make it true. But what makes this really scary is that sometimes we end up believing what is false to be true, or true to be false.
With many subjects the stakes can be much higher now. Often the lives of people are at risk, not just a passing grade on a relatively meaningless exam. So be careful about whizzing through important issues, just so you can get outside and play.
Topics: Philosophy, Politics, Theology | 7 Comments »
Truth and Objectivity
By alanmezger | August 6, 2008
In my first official post to this blog, I really want to address in some manner the subject of truth. After all, that is the first word the blog will be devoted to. It affects not only the subjects of mercy and justice (as we will discuss much in the months to come), but it should play the trump card in all we long for. In this year of important politics in the United States it should play a vital part in the minds of every voter. In our search for meaning in life, or our pursuit of a “right” theology, or the exercise of any of humanity’s interests – from journalism, to science, to education, to government, to business, and even to the arts, truth must be on the top rung of the ladder.
But where does objectivity come in? Is there really such a thing as truth? Can one really know the truth? Can we know we are making progress on the ladder? Can we see that there is yet another rung? Are there different ladders? Is there even such a thing as objective truth? Philosophers have wrestled with these things since man began to think. Conclusions have varied to be sure, but the pursuit continues.
I have rediscovered some thoughts of Michael Polanyi recently. Listen to his thoughts on the difficult subject of objectivity as recorded in Personal Knowledge written in 1958:
Ever since [C
opernicus], writers eager to drive the lesson home have urged us [...] to abandon all sentimental egoism, and to see ourselves objectively in the true perspective of time and space. What precisely does this mean? In a full ‘main feature’ film, recapitulating faithfully the complete history of the universe, the rise of human beings from the first beginnings of man to the achievements of the twentieth century would flash by in a single second. Alternatively, if we decided to examine the universe objectively in the sense of paying equal attention to portions of equal mass, this would result in a lifelong preoccupation with interstellar dust, relieved only at brief intervals by a survey of incandescent masses of hydrogen – not in a thousand million lifetimes would the turn come to give man even a second’s notice. It goes without saying that no one – scientists included – looks at the universe in this way, whatever lip-service is given to ‘objectivity.’
Certainly objectivity at times presents problems. But that cannot deny that there is objective truth. We are all encumbered by cultural and other perspectives from our families, our teachers, our media, our pastors and perhaps most dangerously of all – our politicians. But you, and no one else but you, are called upon by the reality of the most real part of life to make your own decisions. May they be made wisely in your pursuit of truth. Our world will be counting on you.
Topics: General, Philosophy | 10 Comments »
Getting Started
By alanmezger | July 31, 2008
About three years ago others I know began using blogs. Most did it to keep up with friends or family, many who had moved away and it seemed like a good way to keep everyone they knew in the loop with what was going on. Some did it to express themselves in unique ways about particular interests. A few were most passionate about their creations. Some have been controversial. Some have been informational. Some have been just plain fun. Some have even been all of the above. And for the most part all have been interesting to me because of one factor or another.
I really never thought I would have an interest in doing it myself – until about a month ago when I began toying with the idea. Then recently at a camp in Colorado ideas began to crystallize in my mind. After you read some of this you may think “What mind?” But I am willing to take the risk. So let me just blurt it out.
At least for right now I am not interested in posting pictures, music, videos, podcasts or links to everything in creation. Others we know do that much better than I ever could. Oh, I may use some of those things to help me express myself from time to time. But I am interested in starting some discussion and research into some matters which are very important to me and I think it will be mostly printed words I will use. In fact those important issues basically revolve around three words – truth, mercy and justice. I believe those three words are extremely important to life. And I believe they are all dependent on each other for meaningful existence, individually and corporately. I believe that an unbalanced emphasis on or dedication to any of the three words, by any individual, community, ethnic group or nation, will lead to confusion and distrust at best, animosity and hatred at worst. I believe a balanced perspective on the meaning and relationship of those words and a commitment to living them out will bring about something good . . . .
Topics: General | 14 Comments »
Greetings
By alanmezger | July 29, 2008
Coming to the world of blogging. Keep posted.
Topics: uncategorized | 3 Comments »