Café Inquiry (Online) – Truth? How Dare You!

This event is held online. (Click the button to join the Zoom meeting.)

Join us at the next Café Inquiry, where Steve Andersen will lead a discussion of truth in its various manifestations. Steve’s synopsis, slightly edited:

I certainly appreciate truth. I think I may have a grasp on it. But what truth?  I would argue that truth is not a monolith, but that truth is subject to nuance, culture, and perspective. I’m not intentionally blurring the lines between truth and not truth, but rather trying to edify what truth is and how it manifests itself in human terms.  So…let us share the different truth claims that we may subscribe to. Is your truth invested in ontological truth? Empirical truth? Metaphysical truth? Metaphorical truth? Cultural truth? Personal truth? The list goes on. Once you have defined which truth you are espousing we can have a conversation. Conscientious truth building is a component of arriving at some overarching truth. It’s not failsafe and is fraught with ambiguity but tends to allow for wiggle room, discourse and antipathy. In short, before one argues or subscribes to a claim one should first argue what truth claim they are asserting. Before you assert conclusions about truth…please define what truth you are subscribing to either quantify or qualify your belief based on that truth.

For your edification prior to the meeting, 3 videos:

Here is a 4-minute video arguing for an objective reality and against relativism. In this 18-minute video a philosophy professor discusses 3 theories regarding the nature of truth. Finally, this 27-minute video features a discussion of truth vs. reality. Join us for what should be a deep and meaningful – but fun – discussion!

Café Inquiry starts with a short introduction of the day’s topic, followed by casual discussion.

This event is free and open to the public. Donations appreciated, but not expected.

Attendees are able to future propose topics which would align with Michigan Humanist’s purpose: from atheism, agnosticism, humanism, secularism, and freethinking to broader subjects in science and humanities, such as religion, philosophy, social issues, politics, evolution, morality, ethics, and psychology.

Café Inquiry (Grand Rapids) meets each month on the second and fourth Sunday.

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Michigan Humanists values the participation of all guests — requests for reasonable accommodation may be made by contacting the event host at least three days prior to the event.

Michigan Humanists expects all guests to engage in respectful discussion. Critiques on views and claims based on merit are allowed, but not attacks on individuals who hold other perspectives.

Any person engaging in disruptive behavior or harassment will be asked to leave, and may be banned from future events pending the severity of the action. Please speak to the event host or contact info@michiganhumanists.org if you feel these expectations are being violated.