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The idea of truth

''Yes, but what is truth? If you follow me..." - Lionel Hutz, Attorney. (The Simpsons).

What is truth in an age of relativism? It seems that there are an ever growing number people and institutions dedicated to dealing with the issues of the day by means of obfuscation. In other words, the issues are not being dealt with properly at all; they are being clouded over.

The Financial Times weekend edition (Feb 18/19 2006) carried an article by Jurek Martin entitled, "The truth and a state of incredibility", in which the author declares, ''truth now appears to be relative''. In his commentary, Martin briefly surveys the scene, from the halls of academia and science to the spheres of politics and business, and wonders if truth has been relegated to a mere point of convenience.

A quote from Martin's article on truth in present day Washington: ''It baffles me why reporters turn up daily to hear a White House press secretary who knows nothing and says less, true or not''.

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