Truth, one of the several fundamentals that comprises the nature of human thinking.

As
conscious, breathing beings. Aware of our own existence and the surroundings that
contain us. Man has always questioned the meaning of truth. What truth is, and how it
plays a role in our existence as a species. Although truth is a crucial element of the
nature of human thinking, the nature of truth is not always tantamount to a persons
philosophy behind it. And certainly each person defines truth differently than another.

The philosophy of the 20th century is probably best characterized postmodern,

idealist, and concerned with logical analysis. In other words, truth is a non-existent
concept, no absolute truths exist, and that physical existence is merely a construct of
the human mind. In fact, under that philosophy, we can say that nothing physically
exists. But that reality is again, merely a construct of the human mind. One of the
pioneer philosophers of the 20th century who adhered to this thinking was Ludwig
Wittgenstein. Wittgensteins primary work of study was on the concept of language, and
its relation to truth. He proposed that language is meaningless in the absence of the
knowledge of the truth, and reality. He was a strong advocate of science, but somewhat
self-contradicted himself in saying that human beings can never know truth or for that
matter reality. Because reality was indeed a construct of the human mind.

Translating this into todays interpretation of his philosophy, Wittgenstein

proposed that truth simply has no meaning. Truth is what individual people make of it,
and that any attempt to discover absolute truths outside of the perception of the
individual is a frivolous effort. Because absolute truths may not exist in such a way. Or
are so difficult to find, that it is useless to do so in the first place. Which is strikingly

similar to agnosticism. Which in fact Wittgenstein had been a proclaimed non-religious

person.

Bertrand Russell, another established philosopher was also widely known for his stance
on truth. Russell describes truth in terms contrary to Wittgensteins ideals. In his book
Truth and Falsehood, Russell points out three conditions that must be fulfilled in order
for a theory of truth to have any validation. First, a theory of truth must allow truth to
have an equal opposite; falsehood. Second, beliefs are vital to the existence of truth.
Because beliefs allow for the existence of falsehood, truth therefore is allowed to exist.
Thirdly, the truth or falsehood of a belief must depend upon something that exists
outside of the boundaries of that belief. Russell uses the example of Charles I and the
manner of his death. If he believes that he died in another way than that of which
actually historically happened, he believes falsely. And that the fact of truth is separated
from his beliefs.

Truth therefore is inherently separated from individual beliefs. One can either
believe truly, or falsely. Russell continues to outline his Correspondence Theory.
Which is meant to satisfy all three conditions. In short, the theory examines the
relationship between truth, falsehood, beliefs, and the fact of reality. Minds do not create
truth or falsehood, but rather create beliefs. Once beliefs are created, no amount of
human mental power can make a belief true or false. But the belief corresponds to the
truth or falsehood of the reality.

In tandem with Bertrand Russell, one of the most influential, and globally known writers,
and philosophers of the 20th century was Ayn Rand. Rand is responsible for writing her
magnum opus novel Atlas Shrugged. The novel uses her own philosophy which she
called Objectivism. Objectivism is composed of several tenets. However, it proposes
that reality exists completely independent from consciousness. Human beings have
direct contact with reality through sense perception. Truth co-exists with reality, and that
they are of one essence. And that knowledge can be obtained about truth and reality by
concept formation, and inductive logic. Objectivism stems from the idea that human
knowledge, and values are objective, they exist and are determined by the nature of
reality. They are to be discovered by ones mind, and are not created by the thoughts,
and beliefs one has.

Rand makes points that validate the opening statement. That truth is separable from our
consciousness, and existence. Yet so intertwined with our being in a way that does
affect our existence. Truth is essentially how we define ourselves. Undeniably so, even
if one follows the philosophy of Wittgenstein for example. These philosophers confirm
that even in their own writings. And although philosophers and writers have their own
theories and opinions. It ultimately is up to the individual human mind, and spirit. To
reach into the human engine of curiosity to discover the real truth. Carpe veritas.