forum 8: week of 5 March: tests and evidence

I am interested in both a) and b),but from a particular perspective which involves a question of definition.Are we talking about truth-seeking as pragmatic,which to me would mean seeking victory at securing a desired outcome? (as in the warfare examples posted by Jim and myself in the last forum)That would be a competitive model, more subjective in nature,would necessarily involve the practice of deceit, and would be a war of contending truths in which ultimately might is right. Or are we talking about the seeking of some sort of common ground,which would involve an unavoidable and contingent ethical component and the requirement to disclose (to use Al Gore's phrase) inconvenient truths, regardless of its implications for or against self-interest?