Never true,' Old Ben would say. 'Useful- now, there's something. Your mind might make a connection that is useful. But true is another matter. True implies that you have found a connection that exists independent of your apprehension of it, that would exist whether you noticed it or not. And I must say that I have never seen such a connection in my life. There are times when I suspect there are no such connections, that all links, bonds, ties, and similarities are creations of thought and have no substance.
by Orson Scott Card
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In the discourse on truth versus usefulness, Old Ben emphasizes the distinction between what is perceived as "true" and what is merely "useful." He argues that while our minds can create meaningful connections, these relationships may not reflect an underlying reality. Rather, they might simply be constructs of our thoughts, lacking any independent existence. This perspective challenges the notion that truth is an absolute quality.
Old Ben’s skepticism about objective connections raises profound questions about the nature of knowledge and understanding. He suggests that the relationships we establish may be figments of our imagination, indicating a deeper philosophical dilemma about reality and perception. His reflections encourage a critical examination of how we interpret the world and the validity of our insights.
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