Questions Concerning Priorities

One wonders this morning about what matters most, when the Market has fallen to the lowest point in 12 years, and the unemployment rate may reach 8% by the end of the day, and the President is "concerned" over our healthcare!

The President suggests that our economy is at an all time low because of healthcare costs! With no support for the Secretary of the Treasury, and little talk of Wall Street's concerns, it is obvious to most that this adminstration's philosophy of government is at odds with the "private sector". People have lost money in retirement investmensts, universities, charities, and other investors have lost in their endowments. The future is not focused on business interests, as GM struggles to remain afloat as many have already declared bandruptcy.

I'm sure those in Congress, and others in power are not concerned over this economic crisis, as they do not have to worry about their "daily bread". Hopefully, Obama will choose to see those who he promised to 'protect" under the Constitution and veto this stimulus bill.

I don't write this because of personal interests in investments, as that is not my or my husband's job concerns. But, I do write it as a concern for the discussion and balance of the philosophical positions that play out in our policy.

Views of Truth

There are three ways of understanding "truth" or reality; correspondence, coherent and pragmatic. These understanding relate to the Quadralateral in different ways.'

Correspondence truth is truth in the transcendental realm where the real world should coincide with the spiritual. The different understandings of the transcentdent, then become problematic. The real world becomes defined upon texts, or tradition, unless one understands human representation. Plato would be a good representative of correspondence theory to truth.

Coherent truth is based on the "real world' of experience. Whenever cognitive dissonance happens people try to resolve the dissonance by philosophizing. Aristotle would be a good example of trying to bring coherence in life. This can be done in many ways, some choose to live with a Stoic attitude of resignation that life will not be coherent and this may bring them to a pragmatic view, where what is important is decided upon the priority of value.

The third view, Pragmatism believes that what works is the epitome of truth. Pragmatists understand their reality or real world in the material realm with utilitarian goals. The dissonance happens whenever believing pragmatists encounter ethical dilemmas. Is any means useful to justify the end? The answer again,will depend on the values affected and which has priority.

Three different ways of understanding "truth" in the real world. What defines your understanding to truth?