These are curious and curiouser statements: “Ok, so you prefer to argue that objective reality exists.” Preferences are beside the point. There are either universal truths, or there are not. Setting aside evidence and argument for the moment, with the exception of the following assumption,(you see, there is no escape), let us suppose there are no universal truths outside of opinion and individual perspective. Does such a belief have any consequences? I think, (not feel!), that it does, and must. Why? Person “A” asserts such and such. Person “O”, asserts this ‘n that. Person “Q” takes umbrage with both, (question: what is the source of the umbrage?), and hits “A” in the head with a brick, and stabs “O” to death with a knitting needle. Does destroying the competing points of view validate “Q’s” truth that there are no universal truths? Of course not; it just silences the opposition. (And it doesn’t matter at all to “Q”, whose universal truth is that there are no universal truths except personal preference, his preference is power, and he’s got the power to make it so. No troubling trifles like right and wrong trouble whatever dreams may come to him in sleep. Shall the laws on the sale and possession of knitting needles be rewritten? Other laws changed to mandating that bricks be made of straw? If you prefer this “truth”, please explaing how tweaking these trifles will tweak “Q’s” umbrage, and magically change his belief from power to right and wrong?) Or, (returning to Wynn’s words), have I erred in “…observing reality or truth in its pure form”…? (By the way, “pure form” is an assumption.) Did I perhaps miss the “…greater number of perspectives (which) would allow you to search for commonalities which have an increasing likelihood of being ‘true’”? (Another assumption which I’ll chase for a sentence or two. How does one know that “greater perspectives” have the “increasing likelihood” of both being and truth? Greater perspectives seem only to produce longer meetings. Sooner or later, the greater perspectives ought to be given their right name, hypothoses, and then tested to see if a theory can be postulated. And hypothoses are not tested against commonalities and likelihoods. Edison ran electric current through his hypothoses.)
Wynn’s last sentence, “Whether or not you believe in objective reality has no bearing on the increased gain in multiple perspectives when it comes to truth,”I think, needs a big “HUH?”. Plus some brilligs, and slithy toves, and a few fleeting winged porcines.
