1/16 Bohm Dialogue — Truth Part 2.

Things should be as simple as possible, but not simpler.

– Albert Einstein

“Truth” is a concept, a vitally useful and important concept, so important that if it didn’t exist someone would have to invent it. So humans did.

Our conversation about “Truth” never exactly got on track last month so we agreed to try again this Sunday. To help with that, let’s see if we can agree on some basics:

  • “Truth” is a concept about concepts (a meta-concept, if you will).
  • The “truth” of a concept tells us how reliable it is (or at least how reliable we think/feel it is.
  • A “concept” is an idea about something (for example, a model or a description of something).
  • We need the concept of “Truth” because as humans we share our concepts with each other. (Our earliest human ancestors did this).
  • All (almost?) concepts are imperfect to some degree because of:
    • Our limitations: we cannot completely conceive of vast and minutely detailed things, especially changing things.
    • Misconception: the concept holder may misunderstand, be mistaken.
    • Misunderstanding: the concept receiver may misunderstand the received concept.
    • Deception: the concept holder may wish to deceive.
  • The functioning of our social systems, from friendship, to family, to tribe, on up to world spanning civilization, depend on the sharing of accurate, useful concepts.
  • When this sharing fails our social groups, our very civilization and all that depends on it are in peril.
  • Bohm dialogue is an attempt to solve this very problem.

Do you agree? Is this important enough to talk about? Please join us and share your thoughts.

Bohm Dialogue is a freely-flowing group conversation in which participants attempt to reach a common understanding, experiencing everyone’s point of view fully, equally and nonjudgementally. This can lead to new and deeper understanding.

Join us to listen to what others think and to share what you think.  The Religious Exploration Salon is a group that meets 3rd Sundays to discuss various topics in the format called Bohm Dialogue which emphasizes respectful listening and balanced, synergistic sharing. For more details about how Dialogue works, please see this intro.

Everyone is welcome. You are welcome to think about the topic beforehand but no preparation is required or expected — come as you are with whatever thoughts/intuitions you have, ready to listen, learn and contribute.  We next meet Sunday January 16 at 7 pm via Zoom. Past attendees should receive an email with instructions. Or contact Tom Yelton  or Jan Hardenbergh  for instructions on how to join the Zoom meeting or for more information.