Doug
Groothuis
Thoughts
on truth, inspired by Bertrand Russell
Any concept of truth that deems truth to be somehow dependent on our
culture or our minds or wills makes truth into something that we (either
collectively or individually) create and control. This is the case for all views
of truth that abandon correspondence as the essence and meaning of truth. This
disregard for reality encourages what Russell called “cosmic impiety.”
The concept of “truth” as something
dependent upon facts largely outside human control has been one of the ways in
which philosophy hitherto has inculcated the necessary element of humility.
When this check is removed, a further step is taken on the road towards a
certain kind of madness—the intoxication with power.[1]
Russell is on to something deep and rich—a truth about truth
and untruth. When people untether themselves from any responsibility to get
reality right, to be true to the truth come what may, they forfeit the humility
of being beholden to a reality outside of themselves—a reality that may prove
one right or prove one wrong, but which one does not command. One must rather
obey—or disobey. Whether one is an atheist or a theist or anything else, cosmic
piety means submission to the truth of reality, come what may.
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