What do you believe?

[Dundeegeorge]

Hey chicken

You neglected the Kitten option.
I believe that the world was created by a Cosmic Kitten and He is watching you (that's not a generic you, I mean chicken, he's watching you!)

[expat]

Valid points by Mindomoo and HyperD.

I'd say any talk of 'absolute' is dangerous, especially in reasoning whether something is true or not.

A lot of theories are accepted as truth but I wouldn't say they are absolute. Example: gravitational theory is true enough, but I believe Einstein has shown that it is actually a workable simplified version of a greater theory - and as such works enough for simplified problems but does not apply to the whole universe. However it is a truth because it works well enough on Earth and in our Solar System.

Similarly I think that theories such as Darwin's theory of evolution are true enough to a degree but we will find in the future that they can be amended, added to and refined. So in that sense, it is not an absolute theory. And maybe never will, however much we refine it.

Commendably restrained, Rebecca. I'd prefer to say that some theories (such as Newton's and Darwin's) are subject to refinement - correction if you like - but are brilliant steps in our understanding of the world, that will never be undone; and are not in any way related to unsupported alternative "theories" that are not theories at all, like Flat-Earthism or Creationism.

And if you doubt that, try walking off a cliff while repeating to yourself that Newton's theory of gravitation doesn't really apply.

[SupremeSpod]

You neglected the Kitten option.
I believe that the world was created by a Cosmic Kitten and He is watching you (that's not a generic you, I mean chicken, he's watching you!)

Goodies....

[Chico]

Ok lets not tlk about theories let talk about fact. The truth . 2 + 2 = 4. Thats a fact. Its a truth. Its absolute no questions asked. So if we can have an absolute in mathematics and other areas why not in how the universe came about? At this point lets not argue about what that truth is but do you accept that there is an absolute truth about how the universe came about which we may or may not know?

Chico in "lets not go down the relativism route please" mode

[Lucifer Box]

Ok lets not tlk about theories let talk about fact. The truth . 2 + 2 = 4. Thats a fact. Its a truth. Its absolute no questions asked. So if we can have an absolute in mathematics and other areas why not in how the universe came about? At this point lets not argue about what that truth is but do you accept that there is an absolute truth about how the universe came about which we may or may not know?

Chico in "lets not go down the relativism route please" mode

2 + 2 is not 4 in a base 3 numbering system, so perhaps all things are relative.

[Chico]

2 + 2 is not 4 in a base 3 numbering system, so perhaps all things are relative.

I see you taking the role of Devil's Advocate very seriously!!!

[snaw]

Interesting thread but get the feeling we're going over old ground again with Chico?

I genuinely think Chico believes he's out preaching the gospel to the heathen's as a good Christian should, and undaunted he will confront the unbelievers in the faint hope he can help one kindred spirit find Jesus.

In fact all he's doing is turning away any faint hope any of us might have had of finding 'the truth' with his holy willy attitude and 'absolute' inability to debate on any level.

Chico, leave it be - you're doing the missionary cause more harm than good, honest.

[SupremeSpod]

I see you taking the role of Devil's Advocate very seriously!!!

Careful, lest ye anger yon mighty kitten!

[Rebecca Loos]

At this point lets not argue about what that truth is but do you accept that there is an absolute truth about how the universe came about which we may or may not know?

Yes of course I would accept that. There was a series of events of which we probably don't know much but we have a number of theories (what's in the Bible is one, the big bang is another etc.) at the moment that may or may not reflect what actually happened.

What I mean is that even if any of these theories is true, it's probably only true to a degree and is unlikely to contain an explanation for 100% of what happened. So in that sense, none are absolute.

2+2=4 is an absolute truth because it's part of a consistent system we have made up (algebra) and is not in itself a description of a natural event.

[Lucifer Box]

2+2=4 is an absolute truth

It isn't. It's only true relative to your numbering system. In base 3 systems, 2 + 2 is 11. Everything is relative, you see.