Truth as a Construct and the Growth of Knowledge
摘要
There are two different kinds of truth. One is Absolute Truth, belonging primarily to the field of natural science, and the foundations of mathematics. The other is Truth as a Construct (or Construct Truth), as indicated by the diagram below, in which a plurality of propositions constitute a field of truth. Construct Truth is typically the province of the liberal arts and social studies (see Fig. 11.1). Construct Truth can be divided into three categories of knowledge: namely, fundamental values (b1), procedural consensus (b2), and competing ideas (b3). The fundamental values (b1) are those most close to Absolute Truth, and are rooted in people’s faith. However, they are not Absolute Truth, and therefore can be changed and ameliorated. Procedural consensus (b2) is propositions justified by a certain procedure, and guaranteed by the fundamental values (b1). The competing ideas are those that are different from each other, competing to be better valued or received, which form the main body of Construct Truth. To facilitate the process of constructing truth, it is vital to set rules, such as freedom of speech, so that ideas can be produced and compete freely in phase b3. Without such rules to promote the free production, and free competition of ideas, no idea could be well tested and developed. In certain extreme situations, when the freedom of producing ideas is heavily repressed, construct truth threatens to collapse into nothingness (C). This chapter argues that the theory of Construct truth is the best way to promote the growth of knowledge in an individual, and a society. Yet it is a double edge sword, for it is also a system which, when abused, can lead to the destruction of knowledge tout-court.