What is truth?

An interesting thought that I found in Chapter 27 dealt with critical pedagogy and the social construction of knowledge. In this chapter it asks the question what is truth exactly? How do we as educators teach the truth? Why is it that certain things are taught more while others are pushed back? An important idea raised is that truth is not relative. what is considered truth is dependent on history, cultural context, and relations of power operative ina given society, discipline, and institution. Truth is in the eye of the beholder. When we teach we teach our version of the truth. In doing so we may be telling our students a truth that is different from their perception of the truth because of the before mentioned factors. To be a great teacher I think that first and formost we need to realize that there is no such thing as a blanket truth that is agreed upon and accepted by everyone. By acknowledging that there are different perceptions and ideas on truth we can allow for a more open and thoughtful learning enviroment. The differences in the ideas of politicals from the conservative to the liberal ideas of certain aspects is pronounced when it comes to the teachings of women and minority rights and the differences of language. These instances show the divide that exsits in our education system as we all battle to teach the "truth".