(FOUR)

In other words, even though one may personally subscribe to an epistemology with a clear criterion of truth (and thus for ME IN SOLITUTE, there is but ONE TRUTH), I must always acknowledge that the fully rational person with whom I am discussing, might subscribe to a different epistemology with a different criterion of truth (and thus for US IN DIALOGUE, there are MULTIPLE POSSIBLE TRUTHS). Once we grasp this, profound mutual respect and mutual acceptance and mutual humility can be expressed by “agreeing to disagree.” And profound rejection of the humanity of the other and profound mutual disrespect and profound pride can be expressed by rejecting the wisdom of “agreeing to disagree.”

I would like to go further and suggest that the success of the modern scientific method has added an incredibly important new dimension to the age-old epistemological battle among philosophies about the nature of truth.