I have heard the word "truth", discussed in great detail, but may I ask just what is a 'lie or a falsehood'..

Question

The "absence of truth' will not be accepted as an answer!

~~~~~

Also, what is it within a human being that can differentiate "a truth" from a "lie or a falsehood"?

Thanks in advance for sharing.

Asks,

a small insignificant sufi student....

Answer 1

For me the truth is hidden within and around all of us, how many of us tell ourselves ( I should have known or how could I be so blind ) These are good examples of what we all face in our lives. Just as I search for the truth behind my own quest, I hope to share these things when the time is right

Answer 2

A truth or "Truth" can be called a shared experience by many people that can be consistantly checked and rechecked.  Science is good at this.  You mix vinager with baking soda and it will react.  Everyone can do this, same reaction.  So its true that this will happen.

Lies and falsehood are easily shaked out because their math doesn't add up for everyone.  They are inconsistant.  For instance, if I say I'm the holiest person in the world, and your friend sees me do something evil, then what I do contradicts what I said and there's your clue that somethings wrong because I just acted in an inconsistant way.  Granted some people are VERY good at this for profit or some other consideration, but I believe it is to their own detriment.

Answer 3

Falsehood is the broader term that also encompasses a lie.

A lie is a deliberate attempt to deceive or hide the Truth. Most of the time it is a conscious act. A falsehood is not always a conscious act. Someone can give info to another in honest error, they believe it to be Truth, but it is still a falsehood no matter their good intentions. Either way both falsehood & a lie will deceive & mask the Truth. They are both designed to  make the Truth difficult to discern.

Blessings!

Answer 4

A lie is a statement that is known to be false, yet given anyway. If I were to tell you that I can hold my breath underwater for 15 minutes and still live, that would be a lie. I know I can't hold my breath that long. You may not know that though, and you may believe it, but that does not negate the fact that I told you something that I know to be false.