In Search of Truth

The world seems no closer to defining truth today than the ancient philosophers were. And yet we cannot do without it.

What is truth? Can we really know for sure? In this issue we explore the subject of truth from several angles.

Insight Video: We’ve entered the age of post-truth—where objective facts carry less weight than emotions and opinions. Is truth obsolete?

We live at the dawn of a new “Enlightenment.” Only this one has little to do with reason and rationalism.

In the Graeco-Roman world, the goddess Veritas embodied all that was understood as “truth.” What is truth and how can we recognize it?

On the spiritual side of life there are many ideas with suspect origins.

Biblically, the setting and lessons of the seven church congregations to which John wrote deliver a powerful reminder that values are worth holding on to, and that compromise never brings lasting reward.

Insight Video: In his 2012 book, Pope Benedict acknowledges that the traditional Christmas story is not accurate in many respects. Scholars have been pointing this out for decades, but does it really matter? Why should truth trump tradition?

Did people grasp all the implications of Jesus’ teaching? Surprisingly, they were not intended to, since Jesus often deliberately obscured His meaning.

At the heart of one of the most famous oratories of all time lie enduring values and principles that can lift us out of today’s maze of moral confusion.