There are no absolute distinctions between what is true and what is false.

Discuss this
claim (in math).
Knowledge Question: To what extent can one know that what they believe to be true is in its
entirety true in all aspects?
Knowledge Claim: There is no absolute distinction between what is true and false.

Before discussing the knowledge issue it is important to clarify certain terms. The
universal definition for true is conforming with reality or fact. On the other hand, false is
universally accepted as all things not conforming to facts or truth. In natural sciences math is
used as a factor of verification when it comes to scientific claims or hypothesis. Despite being
found as a verification method or a type of truth in natural science it also has the ability to
disprove as well.
As a young child, like many, I viewed the concept of things being true or false as
complete polar opposites, meaning that in my mind I believed that the two could never coexist,
much like how darkness is the absence of all colors and light is the presence of all. Although it
may be the societal norm to believe that things, which are true, and those that are false cannot
coexist, it can still be debated.
When considered, mathematics is seen as a way that has no wrong method. As discussed
in my TOK class, a student mentioned that mathematics is an absolute truth, there may be many
ways as how to go about a mathematical problem but the answer will always be correct when
done correctly, thus being a constant truth. Despite being present altering opinions he stood by

his claim, which brings up the question that to what extent can one really know that what they
believe to be true is in its entirety true in all aspects, for although math being a complete truth
was a valid truth to the boy, it could be otherwise to another. It may never be pondered to the
complete extent but we can know how true the truth we believe to be true is. The generalization
of such a thing is very dependent on the person, therefore difficult to pinpoint. Halmos stated in
his transcript lecture, Math as a Creative Art that there are multiple aspects to math; one being
the patterns in nature, the pure math and the applied math. Even so he also states that math is a
complete truth, but that is based purely on his perceptions, so how far can they truly extend is
unknown.
Man has argued about whether certain pieces of knowledge are true or false for ages.
When thought upon, if truth and falsehood were like light and darkness then it should be just as
easy to distinguish between the two. Yet, there is always that gray light where it is never
completely dark nor light and this is where I believe mathematics plays in.
In my mathematics class, there has always been a correct and incorrect answer, the most
common of which being two plus two equaling four. However, one day in the third grade, while
studying decimals, I came across a loophole that proved that two plus two wasnt always four.
Like many children in their later primary schooling discovered this supposed secret, I too reveled
in it thinking I was some sort of a mad genius who had discovered the meaning of existence or
something of that monumental importance, when in fact I had just used the rounding properties
of mathematics to create a loophole in a simple equation. I had found that 2.4 plus 2.4 equals 4.8,
and when rounded becomes two plus two equals five. A mind-blowing concept to me at the time,

is now just an anecdote that brings more light to such a matter of whether there is an absolute
distinction between true and false.

Works Cited
Halmos, Paul. Mathematics as a Creative Art. Indiana University. University of Illinois,
Chicago, IL. 12 December 1967. Lecture.