Welcome to this edition of "Philosophy Odyssey".
In this newsletter, we will explore the foundation for understanding everything in the universe and in life: truth. Truth is the cornerstone of the fundamental knowledge of my natural philosophy of life and love.
My philosophy is based on three basic principles that function as the framework of my thoughts, where everything fits perfectly. These principles guide me on my path through life.
These processes, constant and infinite, are:
• Seeking truth,
• Acquiring knowledge, and
• Seeking beauty.
Today, we will delve into the first of these: truth.
I will provide you with a brief introduction to reflect on and reason about whether something is true.
I invite you to keep reading and immerse yourself in this fascinating topic that leads us to question the very nature of reality and discover new perspectives on truth.
Remember, truth is the pillar of our understanding and invites us to explore the truths that surround us.
Let’s continue our journey towards understanding and wisdom!
With love, Adrian
The Truth
The idea of truth has always fascinated me, and I believe only one truth exists in a universal way: the self-evident universal truth. The sun is yellow. 2+2 = 4.
We all create our perception of the universe within our brains using the same logic—our shared truth. That is the only truth that exists in an absolute sense.
Everything else is personal opinion, shaped by our perceptions and experiences. Even if everyone around us believes something is true, that does not necessarily make it so.
Why seek it, then?
Because truth is essential for peaceful and respectful interaction. On this planet, there are 8,205,498,903 human beings—and, therefore, the same number of personal truths.
I strive to understand as much as possible about others when I interact with them. I seek to grasp their point of view without losing my own.
There must be a universal truth. We all live in the same universe. That is undeniable.
A universal truth—something that no one can refute—is what I am always searching for…
When two individuals witness an event, there are three truths: one perspective, the other perspective, and what actually happened.
Truth is always subjective, yet a self-evident universal truth exists—a truth that is the same for every brain.
What you see on television is not the truth. It is crafted, edited, and selected to keep you watching.
The only real truth is what you think and feel in your heart.
Definition of Universal Truth
Only a self-evident universal truth can be known. It is a subjective experience linked to a collective universal observation. The sun is yellow. 2+2 = 4. We continue to explore, discover, and define the unknown universe, transforming it into the known universe.
We once feared thunderstorms. Then, we "discovered" what they were and redefined our truth.
There will always be something beyond our understanding, a question humanity cannot answer. But this "not knowing" is what keeps life interesting. If nothing were left to discover, existence itself would become dull.
What happens when we accept that there will always be unanswered questions?
I am certain of this: there will always be something we do not know. Not because of physical evidence, but by reasoning.
Humanity is bound by the speed of light.
That is the maximum speed in our observable universe. It travels at a speed of 300,000 m/s. Nothing can go faster than that. It is impossible in our universe. We can define the limit of our observable universe as: the distance traveled by the first light until now. Yes, it is still happening.
Nothing will ever escape that limit.
But the first light was created after the universe began to expand extremely quickly. The well-known theory of the Big Bang or observation. That means the substance created by the Big Bang must have been traveling faster than light.
Exactly, absolutely impossible to know what that substance is.
We will never know.
It is impossible to know beyond that limit. We are trapped in a bubble of our observable universe, and therefore, something bigger exists.
I call it the unknown infinity.
I was trying to find the most logical explanation. It is reasoning, not faith. I have no faith. It is an unknown system, but also the reason I know that God exists.
Both are infinite.
And that is impossible. Two infinities cannot coexist, only one can. If we are sure that one infinite exists, then the other does not. Or, it is the same infinite, or universal truth.
I use a simple formula to define my universal truth.
(Philosophy + Religions + Science) x brain development = The greatest chance of understanding a universal truth
Everyone has a philosophy of life, even if they are not aware of it. You can learn philosophy by reading, talking to many different people, and reasoning.
Philosophy is your thinking, questioning, and reasoning. It is an attitude.
You reason about it or do not think about it, but you always have one.
Was your philosophy of life created by you or by your culture? A bit of both, always. It is good to discover the differences and become aware.
Religions are popular philosophies with a weekly meeting.
They were people who had different answers to life's questions. Answers for their time.
Religions provide answers to experiences and events that we, as a group, do not understand, mainly using a supreme being as a guide. But it is not necessary, Buddha did not define one.
It is a philosophy of life for a group of people who do not have time to think and create one.
I value religions as a source of information on how people experience God or the unknown, but I do not follow any. I see religions as interpretations of the unknown. The more interpretations, the more accurate your perception of something infinite becomes.
The goal is to understand the unknown or at least its creation.
I imagine it as a system: nature, the observable universe, and what lies beyond.
Every bit of information helps solve the puzzle in search of a universal truth...
Science means knowledge.
All knowledge is interesting.
I distinguish between two concepts of science: modern science, which began in 1827 with the definition of the scientific method of research and documentation.
And science before that definition, without limits or limitations.
These sciences included, for example: natural philosophy, biology, physics, chemistry, alchemy, astronomy, astrology, other pseudosciences, and everything that is organized knowledge.
Information is always neutral; the more there is, the better.
It is your perception that transforms it into something positive or negative.
Modern science will never give a satisfactory answer to the question "why?" Science answers the question "how?" I do not like the term "scientific theory" because it is a poor choice of words. I always think of it as "scientific observation" with the most logical explanation. And, if it is an assumption, then theory... and that brings us back to philosophy.
If you combine these three fields or areas of different research, something almost no one does, then you can have a broad view of the universe and life within it.
You will understand more about humanity if you include all possible knowledge. The more developed your brain is, the more creative conclusions you will get.
Having principles to live by, based on your personal interpretation of truth, makes you feel at peace.
You can deduce from the formula or definition that truth is infinite.
Perceived truth always changes with new scientific discoveries, with new definitions of philosophy, or with your experiences.
Our truth is always expanding.
For example, thousands of years ago, philosophers thought the Earth was flat. That was true at the time, but it was not true in the universe.
Everyone lives in their own perceived truth, in a bubble of existence.
The more you learn, investigate, and reason, the more accurate your truth becomes. I will continue to expand and define my truth until my death. I cannot say that I have found the truth, no one can, only a possible truth...
The ideal situation would be to define a possible universal truth...
That is my motivation to continue asking questions and defining the best possible answers; to keep searching for truth, even if I know my search is endless...
Will you join me in the search for one?
The Truth in 10 Quotes:
Truth is a fascinating and complex concept that has been the subject of reflection throughout history.
Often, famous quotes provide us with profound and concise insights into truth and its meaning in our lives.
In this section, I present ten standout quotes about truth, each offering its own unique perspective.
These quotes invite us to reflect on the nature of truth, its importance in our interactions, and its transformative power.
Let's journey through the words of wise thinkers who have left a lasting mark on our understanding of truth.
"Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth." - Marcus Aurelius.
"Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth." - Buddha.
"If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything." - Mark Twain.
"Even if you are a minority of one, the truth is still the truth." - Mahatma Gandhi.
"In a time of deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act." - George Orwell.
"Wisdom is found only in truth." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
"Say not, 'I have found the truth,' but rather, 'I have found a truth.'" - Khalil Gibran.
"Time discovers truth." - Lucius Annaeus Seneca.
"The superior man understands what is right; the inferior man understands what will sell." - Confucius.
"The ideals which have lighted my way, and time after time have given me new courage to face life cheerfully, have been Kindness, Beauty, and Truth." - Albert Einstein.
These quotes invite us to contemplate the relativity of truth, its connection to wisdom, and its significance in our pursuit of fulfillment and authenticity.
Truth is a personal and ongoing journey; our perceptions and experiences shape our understanding of it.
May these quotes inspire and propel you to explore more deeply the transformative power of truth in our lives.
Subjective Truth in Daily Life: A Transformative Approach
Truth is not absolute but a subjective construct. Your truth is no truer than my truth.
Subjective truth is fundamental for peaceful and respectful interactions with others.
Each person has their own truth, and understanding their viewpoints without losing our own is essential.
When two individuals witness an event, there are three truths: one perspective, the other perspective, and what actually happened.
What you see on television is not the truth but a selection designed to keep your attention.
The only real truth is what you believe, and it could be mistaken.
Understanding subjective truth allows us to have empathy, respect, and open-mindedness.
By adopting this perspective in our daily lives, we improve our relationships and foster mutual understanding.
Remember, truth lies in perception and is always changing as we learn and experience.
Conclusion:
I hope this newsletter has piqued your interest and invited you to reflect on this fundamental concept. Truth is fascinating, and its role in our lives is crucial to understanding the universe.
Now, I encourage you to take your learning beyond these reflections.
Put into practice what you have discovered and experience truth in your daily life.
Here are some useful tips:
Conscious Observation:
Take a few minutes each day to observe and question your own perceptions and beliefs. How do they influence your worldview? Are there biases or prejudices that you need to examine?
Reflective Writing:
Write down your thoughts and reflections on truth and its impact on your life. Written expression will help you deepen your understanding.
Share and Debate:
If this newsletter has prompted reflection and been inspiring, I encourage you to share it with three friends or loved ones with whom you enjoy debating these topics.
Invite them to join in the search for truth and explore together its meaning in life.
Remember that truth is an ongoing journey, and each of us has the ability to discover and expand our understanding.
Allow yourself to be curious, question, and seek answers at every step of the way.
Thank you for being part of this edition of "Philosophy Odyssey".
I hope you have found inspiration and motivation to continue exploring the vast world of life philosophy and reflective self-help. Until the next edition!