4.3 Conclusions: The Need to Know

Truth is not a luxury, but neither is it easy. Now more than ever in this age of the Internet we are confronted with multiple and rival “truth claims.” It’s too easy to simply say: “Well, that’s what they believe, that’s their truth.” That kind of epistemological relativism, while it may have some basis in psychology (thanks, Nietzsche!) and may exhibit some tolerance, is not going to resolve many of the major problems we face in the world today. It may well be that different people see the truth differently, but that does not necessarily mean there is no right understanding of what’s true. People can be and often are wrong in their perspectives.

That does not mean that we will always get the “the” truth. Knowledge is a tricky business. Clear and justified beliefs that compel assent require much careful thinking. Perhaps philosophers will never reach perfect certitude, but most will tell you that the quest for it is well worth the effort.