We know philosophers quest for truth, but what is truth? There are many different ways for something to be true. Here are the most popular
Truth:
(1) Genuine
Genuine or true gold, instead of false gold
(2) Correct
The agreement of the judgement with the thing. Eg the table is brown or 2+3 =5
(3) Certain
From Thomas to Luther and finally Descartes, truth as correctness slowly changed from correct to certain, because the most important truth had to be certain in the sense of free from doubt, in particular having no doubt about the salvation of the soul. Certainty is seen as the highest form of truth to this day.
(4) Un-cover from hiddenness (“a-letheia” or truth in ancient Greek)
When I tear a sock, unity is no longer hidden but made obvious in the tearing, precisely as a lost unity. Philosopher Hegel, in his inaugural address, Heidelberg, 1816, says “The Being of the universe, at first hidden and concealed, has no power which can offer resistance to the search for knowledge; it has to lay itself open before the seeker — to set before his eyes and give for his enjoyment, its riches and its depths.” Philosopher Heidegger says “Both scientific and prescientific comportments are a knowing in the sense of uncovering what is previously concealed, of revealing what was previously covered up, of disclosing what so far was closed off.” Eg, the first time a child has 2+2 = 4 modeled for them with blocks.
(5) Exemplary
True Friend, instead of an average friend or a fake friend. Or a mansion (Now that’s a house), instead of an average house or a broken down shack. It refers to the different ways “hosueness” shines through the house
(6) Truths
The great truths of what it means to be human
QUESTION:
If these are all related, since they are all truths, can you define truth? What is truth?