The Search for Truth

The search for truth begins with the knowledge of ones own ignorance. As Socrates would argue, it is in knowing what it is that we do know, and subsequently what it is that we do not know. This was likewise a theme of Confucius in the Great learning. The question is asked, what does it mean to be a great ruler? Through a lengthy chain it leads ultimately to the understanding of things, which leads back to the beginning, the goal of being a great leader.

So it is, from completely foreign perspectives, we find the same themes originating at separate places across the world. These would continue to perplex mankind throughout history. A desire for knowledge, for understanding, and the challenge that this presents.

It was Hume who would ultimately present the paradox. That our knowledge of the world is derived from experience. From a process of induction through enumeration, we can arrive to a general understanding, however there is nothing in our experience that can affirm with certainty that this would be so. Hence we must conclude that there is no knowledge that is certainty.

Thus defined, we are left with one of two conclusions. That there is truth, or that we live in a universe without truth. The latter is completely non sensical, so in order to have any understanding, we must start with the assumption that there is truth. This ultimately leads us back to the conclusion of Descartes, and the principle of Cartesian doubt. Cognito Ergo Suma, I think therefore I am.

This leads Kant to his conclusion in the Critique of pure reason. That while it is impossible to know a thing in and of itself, we are predisposed to reason. For instance, if one were to draw two parallel lines, they would have to be at precisely the same angle, or they would eventually intersect. To know for certain, we would have to draw an infinite number of lines, yet that would be impossible. We just know this to be true, because we are predisposed to being rational beings.

While Kant solved the problem of Hume, it was purchased at a price. That is why he is called the great destroyer. We can never know the thing in and of itself, only the perception of being. So while we can know that there is truth, that there is a universe outside our perception, that it acts in accordance to the laws of nature, we can only know our perception of this universe, and not truth in and of itself.