The main difference between truth and reality is that truth is the true or actual state of a matter, whereas different people can interpret reality in different ways. Therefore, truth is objective, while reality is subjective.
Truth and reality are two words we often use interchangeably. But if we analyze these two words carefully, we can notice a subtle difference between them.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Truth
– Definition, Features
2. What is Reality
– Definition, Features
3. Difference Between Truth and Reality
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Truth, Reality
What is Truth
Truth is the true or actual state of a matter. Truth is the opposite of falsehood. However, it is something based on facts that varies according to the observer’s perception and value system. It is the accuracy or the absolute correctness of the facts. Sometimes, people may not be aware of the truth. For example, the truth about someone’s honesty or the truth about the scientific reasoning behind a phenomenon. But lack of knowledge of the truth does not negate its existence. Unlike reality, truth is objective. It does not change whatever people believe. For example, one can believe that the Earth is flat, but this doesn’t change the fact the Earth is an oblate spheroid.
Most philosophers describe truth as what is logical and empirical. We can study the truth, and scientists can prove the truth. Moreover, the truth can also be challenged.
What is Reality
Reality is the state of things as they actually exist, in contrast to an idealistic or notional idea of them. In simple words, it is how things actually exist in real life. Reality is not an illusion, deception, fantasy, or a sense of intuition. It is something that really exists.
Although we assume the things we sense with our five senses to be real, they are not always so. For example, we can see the Earth’s surface and the sky meeting at the horizon, but this is not real. The same goes for natural phenomena such as the size of the sun (the real size of the sun and how we see it), the nature of clouds (we see them as white substances, while in truth, it’s made of drops of water), etc.
We can also define reality in a way that connects it to worldviews. In general, we use the word reality to refer to beliefs, perceptions, and attitudes toward reality. For example, one might say, ‘my reality is not your reality.’ This indicates different individuals have different concepts of reality. For example, one individual might see going to heaven after death as a reality, while others don’t.
Difference Between Truth and Reality
Definition
Truth is the true or actual state of a matter, while the reality is the state of things as they actually exist.
Nature
Moreover, truth is what it is, whereas reality can be interpreted by different people in different ways.
Challenge
Reality cannot be challenged, whereas truth can be challenged.
Objective vs Subjective
Truth is objective, whereas reality is subjective.
Conclusion
Truth is the true or actual state of a matter, while different people can interpret reality in different ways. Therefore, the main difference between truth and reality is that truth is objective, whereas reality is subjective.
Reference:
1. “Reality.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.
2. “What Is Truth?” Philosophy Now.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Photo of choose, truth, document, positive, opposite, choice, decide, falsity” (CC0) via Pxhere
2. “Photo of smartphone, man, person, girl, technology, camera, photography, old, ad, portrait, young, finger, youth, child, lifestyle, facial expression, lip, mouth, close up, human body, face, nose, eyes, dream, samsung, fiction, philosophy, eye, glasses, double, head, digital, photograph, skin, media, beauty, illusion, age, image, organ, imagination, reality, third eye, self-deception, deception, false pretenses, request image, wishful thinking” (CC0) via Pxhere
Leave a Reply