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Ok, so a few classes ago, we got into talking about Foucalt, and the notion of Absolute Truth. We never really got to finish the debate on the topic, and I'm curious what everyone thinks on the topic. Everyone pretty much already knows my position. I believe firmly in an Objective Universe (aka one that is non subjective, one that exists independent of our emotions, and our perception). I hold the notion of absolute truth to be an absolute in itself. I hold science to be the study of such truth. I study engineering in order to use these truths to solve problems. What i want to know is: Do yo believe in an objective universe? Do you hold that there is such a thing as absolute truth? What is Science/Engineering then, if there is no such thing as abolsute truth, or an Objective Universe?

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Take this quote from a comment of mine:

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Try attempting to construct a skyscraper without placing absolute faith in Mechanics, the Stregnth of the Steel you are using, the presence of the earth below it, and let’s say the value of g (grav. accel). If any of these change, or are relative as you say, then how may we construct, or claim to know anything. My question for you then, is: What is Science? (i might make a separate topic on this)… Is there such a thing as a round square? A square circle? Please, dont be brief.\

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-Andreas, \\m//

Posted by crucibleofchaos on December 2, 2008
Tags: Michel Foucault

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Total comments on this page: 11

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crucibleofchaos on whole page :

What can be said for science, if there is no absolute truth?
Can we prove we exist with finality, if there is no such thing as an absolute truth?
Food for thought…

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December 3, 2008 5:01 am
profjudell on whole page :

But isn’t the “objective” scientific view always in flux? What about the view of life before and after Einstein? Before and after the discovery of DNA?

Won’t our “objective” views of today be labeled superstitions in the future?

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December 3, 2008 12:16 pm
yrpnova on whole page :

I too believe in absolute truth and would agree with your definition of science as studying these truths. But I disagree with you that the universe is objective. It is far from it. If you’ve learned anything about Einstein’s theory of relativity, you know that what you see may be different (and probably IS different) from what someone else sees. Yet both are correct in their respectively viewpoint. An absolute truth exists, it just depends on who’s viewing it.

-Steven

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December 4, 2008 12:31 am
crucibleofchaos on whole page :

How can it be absolute if it depends on who is viewing it? What you’re saying is that the absolute truth is relative to who is examining it, making for several absolute truths on each subject matter. A relative absolute truth is a contradiction in point. And, the whole thing about Einstein’s theory of relativity–how does it relate to me seeing something different than someone else? Doesn’t he speak of time passing at different speeds, when one is travelling through x,y,z dimensions at speeds approaching c? These circumstances are extenuating. How about a simple one. A circle is defined to be the locus of all points equidistant from a single fixed given point. Prove to me that this circle can also be a square: a closed polygon with 4 equivalent sides, and 4 orthogonal angles. If you can’t, then isnt this an absolute truth? Isnt then the world objective, if someone can not argue against this truth? Can our emotions change how the universe works?(is what i mean by objjective)

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December 4, 2008 1:43 am
crucibleofchaos on whole page :

And to respond to professor Judell, not all things in science are objective, nor are they absolute truths. Some however, the laws in particular to be very near absolute truth status. Can you, or anyone else for that matter, prove those laws wrong?? Take the color of the sky, or the value of gravitational acceleration, or the distance of the sun from the earth, or the speed of light…are they not set in stone…absolute truths…

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December 4, 2008 1:49 am
yrpnova on whole page :

“Doesn’t he speak of time passing at different speeds, when one is travelling through x,y,z dimensions at speeds approaching c?”
Nope, relativity is still working no matter what speed you are in. It only becomes obviously apparent once you reach c.

“A relative absolute truth is a contradiction in point.”
True, in a sense it is, in a sense it isn’t. Again, back to the theory. You have the same event viewed two different ways. The event is the event (the absolute truth in this case). Yet both different views of it are true.

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December 4, 2008 4:11 am
crucibleofchaos on whole page :

Well give me a concrete example of ‘in a sense it is, and in a sense it isnt’ an absolute truth. Give me an example of the same event viewed in two different ways…in science though…

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December 4, 2008 4:48 am
yrpnova on whole page :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wteiuxyqtoM
This video gives an example and explains itself.

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December 7, 2008 4:00 am
crucibleofchaos on whole page :

Ah, i see what you mean. This sort of shit annoys me….i still think that the event happened one way. Two people may have seen it two different ways, and both are in some sense correct…yet the event DID only happen one way. so…hmmm

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December 7, 2008 4:44 am
yrpnova on whole page :

Lol, I knew I could persuade you with science ;)

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December 9, 2008 4:51 am
crucibleofchaos on whole page :

Because i believe in an objective you world i can, otherwise i’d say something like: “who are you to know this theory is correct..who are you to think..or other such absurdities…

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December 9, 2008 5:11 am

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