Truth for Human Existence and Happiness

Book excerpt: This book is a response to postmodernists who take the position that there is no foundation for truth; there are only stories. We posit two types of truth, truth about existence created by scientists, which serves as a foundation of truth for existence. Truth about existence describes human nature, a major component being the human sense of self. Following George Herbert Mead, the self is not an entity, it is process. It is not substantative; it is functional. There are two phases to the self, the "I" phase and the "Me"-phase. The "I"- phase has its roots in biology, so when the needs of the self are not being gratified, individuals suffer. When individuals suffer, life is without meaning; individuals despair. It is human needs and their inherent tie to suffering that points the way to truth for human existence and happiness. Because other people value what they need, needs and their corresponding values serve as the foundation for truth about existence upon which truth for human existence is constructed.