“… that which causes derivative truths to be true is most true. Hence the principles of eternal things must be always most true (for they are not merely sometimes true, nor is there any cause of their being, but they themselves are the cause of the being of other things), so that as each thing is in respect of being, so is it in respect of truth.” Aristotle, Metaphysics.

I want to share this video which features an excellent discussion about transcendent truth and meaning in life between the philosopher Roger Scruton and psychologist Jordan Peterson. This is an important discussion because the disappearance of transcendent truth is one of the greatest problems we are encountering in the West. As the discussion points out, the fallacies of postmodernism result in a rejection of Being. I want to make a few comments about the discussion. First, why is it important to understand the metaphysical concept of Being?

Being is simply that to which existence (everything) belongs, and it is the task of the metaphysician to describe the causes, principles, and limitations which belong to different kinds of things. It is believed that understanding the modes and properties of being through the philosophical lenses of being and becoming, or being and non-being, that a greater apprehension of reality is achieved. Being is the exploration of reality, although, it may include more than physical reality because the metaphysician is also interested in how immaterial things like mathematics (including the axioms and laws of logic such as noncontradiction, identity, and excluded middle), the mind or intellect (or at least, objects of the mind), and moral truths such as justice, the good, or the concepts of right and wrong, relate to being. Metaphysicians explore the question, “is there an ultimate foundation to these things that make them possible?” Therefore, when Aristotle, Augustine, or any other classical metaphysician discusses themes such as being and truth, or logic, they are investigating the first principles of reality and how they relate to the world around us.

It is important to point out as Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, and Aquinas do, that there is a transcendent and universal quality to being. Briefly, these philosophers believe there is a transcendent nature to being because it is a universal concept just like truth, goodness, justice, and human nature (among others) are. These concepts are considered transcendent and universal because any number of particular things can participate in them. For example, many particular people can pursue justice and even experience instances of it. To the degree that a particular instance of justice is genuine, it resembles or takes part in the universal and transcendent definition of what it means to achieve justice which is true at all times and places. This is why an historian can say that a particular event in the past is just or unjust¹.

Also, as far as Peterson is concerned I understand that many critiques of his thought can be made from a confessional Lutheran perspective and I am sympathetic to those critiques (Jung was a self-described Gnostic). On the other hand, it would be unwise to categorically reject some of his ideas. As St. Augustine would remind us, when we find truth we should accept it. I know my readers have a strong sense of discernment so I do not need to say more.

Finally, as an Aristotelian, I did not find anything metaphysically wrong in the discussion (at least not any major concerns). I have noticed that in many places Plato and Aristotle are complimentary to each other. I believe that both philosophers are necessary to read and understand in order to have a robust metaphysical understanding of the world. Dr. Mortimer Adler once made the quip that it has been said that all of Western philosophy is a series of footnotes to Plato and Aristotle, but it was Aristotle who wrote the footnotes.

That said, enjoy this Platonic discussion.

1Here, it is claimed that although the past no longer exists, it is a real object of study and perceptual thought and, therefore, has reality. That is, it has being and is related to being even though it is no longer in act or has actual existence. Humans are cognitively wired in some way to discern the past. Moral truths apply to history because of their transcendent nature.