Drawing on the readings and lectures for this topic, identify and discuss the tensions inherent in the public
representation of complex issues. Answer with reference to any one event or issue of current
significance.
Truth and Representation
There is speculation that over the past years, philosophers of different ages have had a
hard time in dealing with the basic concept of truth. It is quite evident that as we go on about our
daily lives, we often meet a given thing that is a representation of another: For instance, it is a
basic idea that a flag is a representation of a particular country (Parr, p1).
From a general point of view, the idea and form of representation have been developed
by humans or nature to serve a particular function. Based on the idea that one thing represents
another and truth and meaning may be interpreted differently, over the years, there have been
issues that have arose and raised concern but their representation has been disguised to reduce
significance and impact.
Most of the studies done in the current world are done from a scientific point of view,
thus, their representation will be scientific. However, given that most are theories, they leave
room for doubt and their validity is questionable. This in turn impacts the basic concept of truth
and representation. There are given cases where scientific research can be geared to be
represented in a given manner that would sway the interested parties from the truth.
The current global issue that has gripped the world and caused distress is the issue of
global warming in particular to climate change. Global Climate change may be defined as any
change or alteration which may be accredited or linked to human activities directly or indirectly.
Surname 2
There are various factors that are attributed to global warming, the primary one being the
emission of gases that have over the years been destroying the ozone layer (Capoor, 57-65).
Back in the late 1970s to early 1980s, there was research conducted based on the idea that
smoking of tobacco had a significant effect on global warming (Warner, 289). Although there is
speculation that smoking has a negative impact on the ozone layer, the representation of the truth
was that it had very minimal influence if any on the ozone layer. Different theories over time
have been raised in relation to the effect of smoking, but there has never been a solid case where
it has been simply put that smoking has a negative impact on the atmosphere.
Although this can be contributed to the basic idea that the tobacco industries would not
want to be shut down as a result of their products leading to global warming (Buelens, Sinding
and Waldstrom, 30), their truths have not been represented in the correct manner. Furthermore,
there are also concerns raised on the issue of health as a result of tobacco. Their effect may be
well known to the people; however, it is still represented as a cause that may have little
significance in part to lung cancer. This has been the same representation from the onset of the
1950s, despite the fact that then there was little evidence on whether smoking led to lung cancer
or not (‘Meaning, Truth, And Reference In Historical Representation’ 40-45).
Conclusion
Surname 3
It is evident that the idea of truth and representation may be correlated but at times, it may be
presented in a manner that may be confusing. This is in particular to hiding the truth indirectly.
Works Cited
Surname 4
Buelens, M. Sinding and Waldstrom C., Organisational Behaviour. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill
Education. (2011). Print
Capoor, K. and P. Ambrosi State and Trends of the Carbon Market 2009. Washington, D.C., The
World Bank. (2009).Print.
‘Meaning, Truth, And Reference In Historical Representation’. Choice Reviews Online 50.04
(2012): 50-2207-50-2207. Web.
Parr, Hector. “Hector Parr’s Essays on Cosmology, Physics, Philosophy and organ Music”.
Hectorparr.freeuk.com. N.P., 2015. Accessed Web. 2 Feb. 2015.
Warner, K. E. ‘Global Warning Comes to Tobacco Control’. Tobaco Control 22(5) (2013): 289-
290.
