ABSTRACT
I believe in truth-“absolute” truth as it is sometimes called-and I believe that a great variety of human endeavors are dedicated, quite properly and understandably, to the discovery and dissemination of truths. Two motives drive truth-seeking: simple curiosity and practical advantage. The first is illustrated by the popular fascination with dinosaurs and their extinction. People want to know why the dinosaurs became extinct although this knowledge would serve no practical end in most cases. Moreover, they want to know the truth, i.e. what really happened, not simply what is generally believed (so truth must not be equated with consensual belief). The desire for truth also can have a prudential rationale. If a child has a nasty accident on a trip and needs immediate attention, the parents want a true answer to the question, “Where is the nearest emergency room?” Believing the truth is usually (though not invariably) a helpful means to achieving practical ends, such as prompt medical attention.
