On the Objective

Based on my commitment to Quine’s “Web of Belief” epistemology, it might seem as though I might be committed to some sort of variation of objective truth—such as the view that truth is subjective or altogether unknowable. Some have even called it an anti-realism theory based on the fact that all beliefs require a posited theory as a foundation. The background theory, however, is still subject to everything external; I don’t think such “attacks” actually resemble the descriptions they imply. While I do believe that it is hypothetically possible for truth to be nonobjective and that it would thus be warranted to change my views on truth, I believe that experience, my own and all others I am aware of, have shown truth to be objective. Is Elvis still breathing? Did I get paid for working today? These questions have objective answers. Perhaps I don’t know the answers, perhaps no one does, but there still is an answer that represents the fact of the matter. As I have stated in previous posts, completely covering questions like this can and have filled books. I have read some answers to the contrary, and they are generally inflated, convoluted, and in the end, not incredibly moving (a strong proof would, most definitely, be moving). While I would rather have someone read the material for themselves than take my word for it, the belief in objective truth is not only intuitive, but incredibly useful. Useful doesn’t seem to do the belief justice, yet necessary would be too circular.