Perhaps one of the hardest terms to cope with, and obtain insight in, is truth. Yet, it may also be referred to as one of the most sought-after subjects among human beings. What is it, then, that makes truth such a remote substance, and why is it crucial to determine one’s own truth?

Below are four possible reasons why truth may be so difficult to determine:

* First of all, because in many regards, there are different truths for different people, and they can all be considered correct from an individual’ s particular point of view. A perfect example of this type of truth is the famous one about 5 people witnessing a similar event or object at the same time, yet from 5 different corners. The result? All 5 people present a slightly different, yet irrefutably correct story.

Aside from the fact, thus, that truth is perceived with consideration of one ’s opinions, mental and emotional baggage, and one’s personal set of values, we can also say that truth is co-determined by the angle from which it is observed. The truth described above could be referred to as perceptional truth.

* Secondly, because there are also some universal truths that are generally accepted, even though there may be some scatterings in opinions about these truths. A few of the truths referred to in this paragraph are, for instance, that we are human beings; that we are living on earth; that we are all born and will all die; and that the earth is round. Since the truths described here are based on facts, we could call them factual truths.

* Thirdly, because some truths are ignored, even though our rational sense, through conscience and sober reasoning, tells us something different. An easily understood example of this type of truth is the one that says that all human beings are equal. Aside from a hopefully rapidly vanishing group of shortsighted superiority addicts, more and more people identify this truth as valid. Yet, humanity’s acts do not encourage the equality establishment of all human beings by any means. Through wars, political manipulations, and organizational hierarchies the concept of distinction is kept intact. In some regards justifiable, perhaps, but still… The types of truths described in this paragraph, although tempting to be referred to as “neglected truths,” could realistically be called: relational truths.

* Fourthly, finally, because some truths are unprovable and, thus, subject to eternal discussion and disperse. Religion is an excellent example in this case: many religions preach to have the only truth, based not on evidence, but on belief in deities and theories that cannot be confirmed in any way. These “truths” are mainly accepted ideas that originated from one person or a small group of people, and evolved through time into a theory, now accepted by large communities on the globe as the undisputed truth. However, these are the truths too that cause most intellectual, emotional, and sometimes ferocious clashes between the ones spreading them and the ones questioning them. These truths can be referred to as ethereal truths.

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