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WA6. Thomas Hobbes’s View of Truth

Statement

Write a 3-page paper on your truth and contrast it against a philosopher we have studied so far this term.

Remember, your personal philosophy is right for you, you do not have to agree with scholars, the professor, or anyone in the class. Please respect yourself enough, as a learner, to state your case, and others enough to allow others to state theirs. Use any previously covered philosopher from Units 1-6. choose one whose beliefs about ‘truth’ contrast with your own.

Assessment Guidelines

  • Does the paper clearly identify the chosen Philosopher and give a brief explanation of his or her theory of truth?
  • Does the paper list similarities and differences between the Philosopher and writer?
  • Does the writer give at least two examples of the argument against the Philosopher from the writer’s point of view?
  • Presentation of reasonable argument for why the writer is the more valid one of the two (from the writer’s viewpoint).

Answer

This text chooses Thomas Hobbes as the philosopher to contrast with the writer’s personal philosophy.

Thomas Hobbes was an English philosopher best known for his political philosophy. He was born in April 1588 and died on December 1679 at the age of 92. His most famous book Leviathan (1651) discussed the social contract theory and is considered the foundation of most Western political philosophy (UML, 2023).

Hobbes’s view of truth gives a great deal to language; he sees that the usage of language distinguishes us from animals and language is the foundation of all knowledge and it is how truth travels (Duncan, 2012). Hobbes sees that language constructs propositions, and the truth is a property of these propositions (Krook, 1965). He sees that scientific knowledge can only be expressed using language; anything that can not be expressed by language can not be known (Krook, 1965). Hobbes categorizes truth into two types: natural and supernatural truth (Adorno & Hoffe, 2016); the first is known through direct sensory experience, and the second is logically derived from the first. Hobbes believed in materialism, and this explains the natural truth that can be known through materialistic senses.

The writer’s view of truth is pragmatic, as I read about different philosophers’ opinions, I tend to take a position that is a collection of what I read. I agree with Hobbes about the importance of language as it is the main source of knowledge and truth we have learned to use since years of school. For example, I learned in chemistry that water is made of two hydrogens and one oxygen; I can see water, but I can not see the atoms; I take this fact as true; and it was delivered to me using language in books or from the teacher’s mouth.

I also agree with the dual categorization of truth. Islamic doctrine teaches us that there is one truth that we can see and feel now, and then there is another truth after resurrection. I believe in Islamic doctrine, and everything it says is true to me; thus, I see the supernatural truth as true, but we just can not see it now.

I disagree with Hobbs that the only source of truth is sensory experience. The reading material has taught us about intuitive knowledge; this knowledge is assumed to be true for its holder, and it may or may not be based on sensory experience. For example, I might have a gut feeling about something I am about to do, the feeling is not based on any materialistic sensors, but it is only inside me, and I believe it is true, thus, I may make a decision based on this feeling.

I also disagree with Hobbs that the truth is only what we can see and feel. I believe that consensus may change the truth; for example, I see that the earth is round, but if everyone on the planet believes that it is flat, then my truth may change. Another example is politics; as we all see politicians can tweak the truth based on their needs, and then what they say becomes the truth as they have the authority, and when they issue a public statement, it is assumed to be true.

To conclude, truth is never absolute, and no one holds all the knowledge about what is true and what is not; Hobbes’s view of dual categorization of truth or the importance of language is valid for now, but it may change in the future. I believe that modern definitions of truth have been influenced by various views of different philosophers and that everyone has their own kind of truth based on their beliefs and experiences.

References