What is Truth ? (Post 3)

Constructivist theory for truth

Social constructivism holds that truth is constructed through a process of social interaction and is therefore historically and culturally specific. The most interesting aspect of this theory of truth is that it is often associated with issues of domination by certain aspects of society (such as masculinity, patriarchy, imperialist behavior) and is shaped through the power struggles within a society.

On the other hand, it is a favorite of philosophers involved in information technology because it reflects their understanding of how knowledge is created in contemporary society and is essentially democratic in nature.

There are 4 main concepts behind it.

1. Constructivism
This point of view maintains that people actively construct new knowledge as they interact with their environment.

Everything you read, see, hear, feel, and touch is tested against your prior knowledge and if it is viable within your mental world, may form new knowledge you carry with you.

Knowledge is strengthened if you can use it successfully in your wider environment. You are not just a memory bank passively absorbing information, nor can knowledge be "transmitted" to you just by reading something or listening to someone.

2. Constructionism
Constructionism asserts that learning is particularly effective when constructing something for others to experience. This can be anything from a spoken sentence or an Internet posting, to more complex artifacts like a painting, a house or a software package.

3. Social Constructivism
This extends the above ideas into a social group constructing things for one another, collaboratively creating a small culture of shared artifacts with shared meanings. When one is immersed within a culture like this, one is learning all the time about how to be a part of that culture, on many levels.

4. Connected and Separate
Separate behavior is when someone tries to remain 'objective' and 'factual', and tends to defend their own ideas using logic to find holes in their opponent's ideas.

Connected behavior is a more empathic approach that accepts subjectivity, trying to listen and ask questions in an effort to understand the other point of view.

Constructed behavior is when a person is sensitive to both of these approaches and is able to choose either of them as appropriate to the current situation.

In general, a healthy amount of connected behavior within a learning community is a very powerful stimulant for learning, not only bringing people closer together but promoting deeper reflection and re-examination of their existing beliefs.


Give me an example of something you know to be true, that fits into one of the 4 categories list above.
Make sure to name the category and give a reason why you feel it fits into that category.