Maria Eleni Sourlantzi 003505-022 TOK Essay

TOK Essay Session: May 2010 Title: To what extend is truth different in mathematics, arts and ethics?
Centre Name: British International School Bratislava Centre Number : 003505 Candidate Name : Maria-Eleni Sourlantzi Candidate Numbe r: 003505-022 Word Cou nt: 1599

Maria Eleni Sourlantzi 003505-022 TOK Essay In order for us to be able to answer the numerous questions raised about truth, we need to examine how truth can be defined and obtained. Plato1 supported that every person is born with the truth inside him and as we go along with our life we remember and discover it. Something is true or false by the time we start thinking about it so we form conclusions. Therefore, truth lies within us and we have to show interest or form opinions otherwise we live in a delusion. Human ability to tell the truth also needs careful examination. How do we know something is true? Does it differ in every case? Many theories concern claims of truth and their relationship with reality. It is interesting to explore truth, definition and meaning, in three completely different areas; mathematics, arts and ethics. The question therefore is whether truth means exactly the same in every area. We have to wonder whether the rules and the procedures are similar enough to explain our use of truth in each area. Truth exists as something general. We use ethics, mathematics and arts to find and describe it. All these areas would not exist without truth. Truth represents a number of categorized claims. It is how truth is portrayed in each area making it seem different. In other words when we discuss the extent at which truth differs from mathematics to arts and ethics we compare the different ways that the general truth is detected and deciphered. Mathematics existed before we learned to deal with them. Sums and formulas were derived before we solved them. But was mathematics discovered or invented? Questions are raised for each side of the coin. Mathematics can be perceived as a science that uses facts to prove the truth by invented theories. According to that we can only find the truth where we have invented a theory, as we make the theory to fit the truth. In that way we do not prove anything, restricting our knowledge. However if simplistically the truth is out there, mathematics is discoverable defining the structure of the universe. By following the inbuilt logic of mathematics we discover every truth independent of human observation and we become free of the physical realitys changing nature. The question though remains; if a mathematical theory goes undiscovered, does truth exist? If a tree falls in a forest would it make noise if there was no one there to hear it? This seconds the assumption that truth exists when we are aware of it. Set rules express truth in mathematics. Great thinkers have sorted some certainties; things that no one can refute, something as simple as 2+2=4. In order to find
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Plato: was a Classical Greek philosopher, mathematician, writer of philosophical dialogues

Maria Eleni Sourlantzi 003505-022 TOK Essay that truth we use mathematical logic as a way of knowing. With logic we consider claims as being true creating the necessary connections through definitions or principles. Like when 1+1=2 and 1+1+1=3 are true, 1+2=3 is proved to be true. In each case we form conjunctions to prove the truth. We obtain certainties in an immutable language, free of mans passions. In mathematics we advance using equation after equation with this impeccable method until we reach the result. Using logic we form priori2, that are necessary, certain and universal3. Wittgenstein4 claimed that the only pure truth we knowcomes from mathematics. There is therefore no way of finding a single irrefutable argument which will help us answer a question, outside of mathematics. Truth in mathematics is presented as reliable and absolute. Many argue that we can not debate over a proved result. But the origin of mathematics can be questioned. If a major claim in mathematics is discredited, every theory that came after it is also wrong. This would be devastating as there would be no progress. We need to accept some mathematical claims in order to continue. the tools of verification. In mathematics there are certain standards and rules to check the accuracy of statements, Of course there will be assailants, like the group of mathematicians who disagree with the Euclidian proofs. Truth therefore in mathematics is the proved result supported by the majority. In art, however, truth is not as apparent because it lacks an ample definition. I feel that I create art when I use my imagination and skills to create something aesthetically pleasing to share with others. Some would argue that art should be attractive; it can be something appalling but with an inner meaning. Art exists as a form of expression and communication5. It depends on each individual and their background to distinguish art from decoration and entertainment. We understand art mostly with our emotions making every interpretation different. An analysis in art differs from one in mathematics as it contains the subjective element. Interpreters can include personal experiences, judgments and beliefs while comprehending art. An art piece does not contain only one truth. Or does it hold many versions of it? It is necessary to observe the people affected by an art piece. Its creator expresses his feelings and beliefs, indicating one truth. The public perceive this in
Priori are logical truth created with this specific type of thinking that includes following proven steps. 3 This is what states the foundations of mathematics 4 Ludwig Wittgenstein: Considered by some to be the greatest philosopher of the 20th century, played a central, if controversial, role in 20th-century analytic philosophy. 5 Art could also be thought as an alternative form of language, like mathematics is.
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Maria Eleni Sourlantzi 003505-022 TOK Essay different ways. Which do we consider as true? Plato defined a bed, as being three beds. The first one was the concept of the bed, the general truth. The second bed was the one that the carpenter created, the artists truth. Finally the third bed was every persons experience, the publics view. I once composed a poem for my literature class. After reading it, people guessed its meaning. Everyone gave an interesting possible interpretation, but none found what I really meant to say. Each variation included a truth for the individual. If my poem is art, it would have one truth that was subjectively analyzed by the public. Art, though, is commonly analyzed and judged by experts. Are they able to find and judge that hidden truth? The creator is the only one who knows that truth. Sometimes, the artist speaks for a group of people. The more people he represents the more accepted and well understood the truth is. Factors influencing every individuals interpretation of art can be culture and personal experiences. Art has not always been what we think of it today. Art in ancient Greece was different from the Renaissance. Nowadays, expression can be considered art; a graffiti or a Chinese religious song. Time period and culture surely affect how we consider art and the way we decipher it. The traditions and beliefs of a certain group are usually used to define and understand an art piece. The art that African tribes create can only be truly understood by them. They are afraid of their gods and trying to please them they always act in fear, something that a non-member cannot feel. Being aware of the background would probably help comprehension. When I first came across Guernica6 I understood the negativity it encrypted but not Picassos attempt to express his disgrace about war. It is difficult to understand the artists truth. Every interpretation is different, unique and true at a certain extend as we use emotion to justify our claims. We can, therefore, perceive it subjectively. Ethics is an abstract concept that seeks to answer questions about morality. It distinguishes right from wrong and defines justice. Generally, an action can be judged as ethical when it does not oppose a law violating freedoms and rights. Similar to arts, ethics varies with culture and circumstances. Therefore, a measure for ethics is defined by the people one is surrounded by, society. There is no such action that is considered in the same way globally. Cultures beliefs and ethics have been formed through the years and depend on the society. Education, religion, economic and political state and
Guernica is a painting by Pablo Picasso, depicting the bombing of Guernica, Basque Country, by German and Italian warplanes at the behest of the Spanish Nationalist forces, on April 26, 1937, during the Spanish Civil War.
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Maria Eleni Sourlantzi 003505-022 TOK Essay characterize it. It is very complicated to categorize actions as ethical without being aware of the background situation in the given society. What is considered moral somewhere may be considered unethical on another place of the world. Killing a woman who committed adultery is approved in Middle East whereas in Europe is crime. The values of each culture will determine what is ethical. Thus, the truth in ethics depends on that cultural background. The setting of a given situation also affects truth. Once I witnessed a sad event while shopping in a grocery store. A beggar came in and asked for money. The owner sent him out. On his way out he stole a piece of bread. Stealing is generally deemed as unethical but I felt that this situation was different. Can we excuse immoralities in certain situations? Truth also depends on the viewers perspective. In every case someone is disadvantaged, favored or not affected. Besides culture and circumstance, an individuals role and his perspective also affect truth. Truth in ethics can be viewed from many points based on the facts we think as true and our interpretation of them. There is no absolute truth in ethics. It can be best described as relative. This idea supports that some of its elements are true relatively to other aspects. We evaluate truth in terms of cultural, historical and personal context. It is always relative to a certain reference, for example language. It would be easier to evaluate truth in those different means if the methods and ways of knowing used were the same. We interpret facts to reach a conclusion and find the truth. The details affecting our judgment change in every case making truth absolute, subjective or relative. Following our instincts, emotions and culture, using our logic and engaging every personal experience we are able to discover truth and its meaning in every part of our life.

Bibliography: Greek Philosophy: Plato the Philosopher. Truth Reality of Plato. http://www.spaceandmotion.com/Philosophy-Plato-Philosopher.htm

Maria Eleni Sourlantzi 003505-022 TOK Essay Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy , Ludwig Wittgenstein, http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/wittgenstein/ Plato: Art, Representation and the Truth: An Introduction to Book Ten of Plato's The Republic, http://greatphilosophers.suite101.com/article.cfm/plato_art_representation_and_ the_truth Relativism, http://www.utm.edu/research/iep/r/relativi.htm