By ADIA REYNOLDS Photos by RORY MOORE
Tiger Media Network
The FHSU Philosophy Department hosted a Philosophy Cafe on Tuesday, this time discussing the concept of truth. “Truth and Tolerance” is one in a series of recurrent meetings of the Philosophy Cafe at the Paisley Pear in Hays. Young prospective philosophers no longer congregate on the steps of Athenian architecture but at the social spheres of local restaurants.
“A lot of people don’t sit down and try to think these things through.” Assistant Professor of Philosophy David Tostenson said. “That’s the value of philosophy. Even if you just define basic concepts, that’s still a win. It removes the muddle.”
The Paisley Pear is equal parts a social site and popular wine bar. Their official website describes their mission values as this ideal: “We want you to come in with your parents, brothers, sisters, kids, friends and everything in between for a fun and relaxing time.”
Modern college students are not known for their draw towards the philosophical. However, one student, Davon Moret, proves otherwise.
“I really appreciate the conversations I’ve had with Dr. Tostenson,” he said.
The draw of intellectually stimulating conversation gathered a small but participatory crowd to the Paisley Pear. The Philosophy Cafe provides a space where those present can ask difficult questions about the nature of such abstract concepts.
The topic on the chopping block for debate was truth and tolerance. Tostenson opened with the cold questioning of ‘what is truth?’ eliciting many responses. Some equate truth to what you believe, others to objective knowledge.
Perhaps the truth about truth is that there is no truth. Tostenson argues that this is oxymoronic and impossible to be true due to the inherent underlying meaning of the statement itself.
“I think it [truth] is an indefinable idea,” he said. “But that’s not to say there is no discussion to be had around truth.”
Tostenson differentiates between variable and objective truths, and whether or not such a thing exists. According to him, variable truths are not truths at all but beliefs.
Philosophy Cafe should not be confused for a formal debate, but an open forum for free discussion on complex topics. Nicole Feyerherm reiterated the lecture points well.
“There could be a truth out there that we are unaware of,” she said.
Examples of unknown truths are alien life in another galaxy or claims about what Julius Caesar ate for breakfast before his assassination.
Discussions of truth prove that philosophy can pair well with modernity. It is not an art limited to the ancients.
“A lot of people talk about living in a post-truth age,” Tostenson said. “Whether or not something is real doesn’t matter so much as what ideas it represents.”
Once again, he resists this foregone conclusion of the meaning of truth. This time, he cites historian Timothy Snyder in his work, “On Tyranny.”
“To abandon facts is to abandon freedom. If nothing is true. Then no one can criticize power, because there is no basis upon which to do so.”
“Somebody’s gotta be wrong,” Tostenson concluded. “Maybe I should have called this [Philosophy Cafe] ‘falsehood and tolerance.’”