human
And what is truth?
gpt
We must recognize divers degrees of truth, said Gideon Hibbs.
human
There is the empirical, observational truth I mentioned. There is logical truth, demonstrated by proceeding correctly from the premise. There is ethical truth, not demonstrable by observation or logic, deriving from an ideal harmony between the human will and the will of God.
gpt
There I begin to lose you,
human
Ideal, sir, attainable in perfection only by the mind, not in common life because man is the plaything of chance, a conclusion to which I am forced, in defiance of prevailing theology, by contemplation of human frailty and the vicissitudes of life. Mr. Hibbs drank and looked a trifle happier.
gpt
Above all there is metaphysical truth, even further beyond the reach of observation and logic. Here indeed the philosopher may find consolation--by submission, if you like, to the incomprehensible.
human
But in what manner is mind not a part of common life?
gpt
Oh? Sir, do you doubt the separateness of soul and body?
human
I confess that sometimes I do. Uncle John looked tired, Reuben saw, as though he might have lost interest in Socratic method, might even prefer to be playing chess. He enjoyed it most with Ben, Reuben knew; when Reuben himself entered the dry brilliant world of the chessboard he found it nearly impossible to temper his own sharp skill, and victory came with too much ease. He wondered if the doctor could be a chess-player. Strange, the remoteness like a sadness that had come over Mr. Welland there at the top of the rise.
gpt
If you run, Reuben, you can meet them in front of the house. That had been like a mind reading.
human
I don't run nowadays, Reuben. He recalled the doctor's brief mirthless smile as they shook hands.
gpt
I think I'd admire to see you run. I'll take the path through this other field--it'll bring me out back of my own house.... Run, boy, run!
human
I think truth may be both a humbler and a sterner thing. I think, Mr. Hibbs, there can never be any truth but a partial truth, subject to change by every new observation.
gpt
But that is....
human
Terrifying? For my part I don't find it so. This may be a matter of one's disposition, I suppose.
gpt
Beyond such partial truth, said John Kenny,