What is True (Truth)?

In a world where everyone seems to have their own version of events, where does truth lie? Is it something solid, grounded in an objective reality, or is it something we create and shape individually? The concept of truth has fascinated thinkers, mystics, scientists, and poets alike, and even today, we are no closer to a unanimous understanding of what it really means.

The Many Faces of Truth

The truth can seem simple: it's what is, right? But take one step deeper, and things get complex. What if two people witness the same event and walk away with two different accounts? For centuries, philosophers have tried to capture truth within theories, yet each one leaves room for wonder, debate, and sometimes doubt.

1. Correspondence Theory holds that truth is a mirror of reality. In this view, a statement is true if it corresponds to the actual state of things. If I say, “The sky is blue,” this is true because it aligns with the observed world. But what if someone says, “The sky is gray,” because they see it under clouds or dusk? Both statements, in a way, reflect truth, suggesting that truth might shift with perspective or circumstance.

2. Coherence Theory goes a step further and suggests that truth doesn’t lie in isolated statements about the world but in how those statements fit into a system of beliefs. For example, scientists uphold theories based on coherence—does this new finding fit with the existing body of knowledge? If it contradicts, then further inquiry is needed. Yet, history shows us that coherent systems can be shattered, like when the Earth-centered model of the universe was replaced by a sun-centered one.

3. Pragmatic Theory proposes that truth is not just what aligns with reality or coherence but what works. If a belief proves useful and reliable, it holds practical truth. But this is perhaps the most fluid of all truths—what “works” might change depending on the individual, culture, or era. What was true about health or medicine 200 years ago may no longer be true today.

Each of these theories attempts to pin down truth, yet each acknowledges that it remains, in some way, elusive. Truth may not be a single thing we can grasp but a concept that reflects our complex reality.

Personal Truths and Universal Truths

In everyday life, we often speak of “my truth” or “your truth,” recognizing that people’s experiences and emotions shape their perception of the world. For someone who grew up in hardship, "success" might feel like survival, while for someone raised in comfort, success might mean achieving something extraordinary. These personal truths are real, vivid, and meaningful, but they might not hold as universally true for others.

Yet, even within personal truths, there is a yearning for something unchanging—a universal truth that transcends individual experience. Many religions and spiritual paths teach that truth is absolute and eternal, something beyond the changing tides of human perception. "God is truth," some say, or "Love is truth," suggesting that truth is bound to something fundamentally good and life-giving. But even these noble ideas have different meanings to different people, shaped by culture, history, and personal faith.

The Complexity of Relative Truth

If truth is shaped by our lives and our experiences, does it mean it’s relative? Does truth become simply a matter of opinion? The relativist view suggests that truth is indeed subjective, that it changes from person to person. This view can foster empathy, allowing us to recognize others' perspectives. However, it also poses challenges, especially in a world that increasingly debates “fake news” and “alternative facts.” If we lose our grip on shared truths, does society become ungrounded?

Philosophers argue that truth, while influenced by perspective, is not merely a matter of opinion. There is a balance to be struck. While individuals hold personal truths, these truths often intersect with others’ experiences and with facts that transcend individual perspective. The challenge, then, is not only in understanding that our truth may differ from someone else’s but also in seeking common ground where possible.

Truth in Art and Expression

Art has long served as a vessel for truth, allowing people to convey experiences and insights that might otherwise be impossible to express. Poetry, painting, music—each has the power to communicate a truth that is felt deeply but not easily spoken. A poem about love, grief, or hope can convey truths that words alone might struggle to capture. Art does not claim to present factual truth, but it expresses a truth of emotion, a mirror of the human experience.

In this sense, art embraces truth as multifaceted. It doesn’t ask, “Is this true?” but rather, “What does this mean to you?” and “What can you see in this?” The truth of art lies in its ability to resonate on an emotional level, to connect people to themselves and to each other.

What Is Truth?

What shape does truth take in a shifting tide,

A steadfast stone or fleeting breath of air?

In shadows cast where certainties reside,

Or silent spaces beyond what we dare?

Each soul a prism, colors held inside,

A single ray divides in hidden lair.

We chase the light through darkness and divide,

Yet find it whole, as if it were a prayer.

Embracing the Mystery of Truth

So, what is true? Perhaps truth is not a destination but a journey. It’s the courage to search, question, and listen. Truth might not be something we can fully possess, but something we engage with—a conversation that never really ends.

In the end, truth may lie not in rigid definitions but in the ongoing exploration of our understanding. It lives in our pursuit of honesty with ourselves and with others, in our humility to admit when we don’t know, and in our willingness to learn. It may not always be comfortable or clear, but the search for truth keeps us human, bound together by our shared quest to make sense of the world and our place within it.

As we move through life, perhaps the truest thing we can do is keep asking: What is true?