1) Clarity and reason "Some people use big words to try to make their beliefs sound scholarly and important or, worse, to hide the fact that their beliefs don�t make any sense. Don�t ever allow such people to bully you with their attempts to make philosophy impossibly complex, or intimidate you into accepting what they say. What this kind of person wants is for you to blindly believe them; they don�t want you to think for yourself. Reason demands clarity. Whenever presenting your views it is essential to be clear about those beliefs and to frame them rationally. When confronted with reason, some of those without rational arguments or beliefs will frequently switch to personal attacks. Obscenities and insults are the product of an ineffectual mind, merely the crude tools of the enemies of reason and thus the enemies of life. You cannot reason with this type of person; they are incapable of reason. Clarity and reason are tools of truth. Use them to better your own life." Source and further information: http://www.terrygoodkind.com/the_author/philosophy.html 2) "It's instructive to see the "tools of truth" that Ehrlich uses. Research on sunlight, nuclear radiation and the human effects of guns necessarily relies on statistical correlations, rather than direct cause-and-effect relationships. Ehrlich's approach to these statistics reminds us of how important it is to go back to original sources. He shows how data change remarkably "in translation"; that is as interpreted and displayed by succeeding layers of analysts. Of course, the original investigator may also consciously or unconsciously put spin on the data, which is one reason that experiments are supposed to be capable of replication. " Source and further information: http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/print/2380 3) "These forms of amplification/reduction also favor certain outlooks and ways of experiencing over others: [...] They favor an instrumental view of language, that is, as a tool we have at our disposal, essentially nominal in both senses (i.e., made up precise arbitrary signs for naming), a language for designating, enframing, filing, the assumption being that formal languages are better than natural languages because they are more precise tools (i.e., tools of truth). " Source and further information: http://www.phenomenologyonline.com/articles/burchmicro.html

i'd just ask my local homicide detective. they know more about truth and lying than most of us.

I betcha they got a clue or two down in Gitmo! ;-)

i would think the only tool available would be our own ability to control ourselves, our brains. Into discerning truth, with the least amount of bias possible. However, it may not be completely possible, these tools may not exist because of the imperfection of the individual. What's the difference between "truth" and bare facts? I guess if you ask that question, there could be nothing physical we could use to uncover that "truth" you talk about. Since we usually depend on physical objects, machines, etc. to give us the bare facts, what else do we need if we didn't believe what that instrument provided us with? Frankly, not sure if that's possible. Unless you can become an incredibly more advanced kind of creature that humans cannot yet comprehend.. because humans have only used bare facts and belief systems to find their truth. We are like computers, and if we are not programmed to perform certain functions, then it's just not possible. I guess some people think they find truth from extreme meditation or in altered states from drug use.. but how do we know if those are any kind of tools of truth or not? Does my answer even make sense? sometimes i have no idea what i'm rambling about

The only "tools" needed are one's interest and the ability to maintain an open mind! ;-)

we use science and math for most problems of this nature. i know it's not always enough, but neither is religion or talking to other people....there is no spoon:)

One must have the truth revealed within them by the Spirit of God. 1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. God's ways are past finding out, unless He reveals His ways within us, so that no flesh should glory in His presence. Good question macmedic

There are different kinds of truth; logical truths, mathematical truths, physical truths... spiritual truths. so different tools to discern different truths. they all still all truths, interwoven in a unique pattern of reality. My search for truth has led me down many paths of enquiry, leaving me frustated in not knowing if what i was studying was untimately true. who could know unless they were able to extrapolate into eternity? so i found myself looking for fundamentals, and realised that the ultimate truth must originate from the spiritual realm, although this is paradoxically the most ethereal expression. (at least at first) the greatest tool (and most damaged) for mankind is the (spiritual) heart. there is a law of the spirit realm that says 'search with your whole heart, and you will find truth'. no man who truly desires to know the truth will be left without answer. once you have tasted of this truth, your life will be radically changed. you will see with new eyes, and all the other truths will find their correct perspective, and you will intuitively know these other truths. they become details. we never stop searching. there is always more treasure to discover, even amidst the Ultimate Treasure.

If a phenomenon can be experienced, interpreted and compared, then it can be known. If you can't experience a phenomena (like heaven as an external a place) then there's not a whole lot you can say about it, and any faith you put in beliefs you know nothing about is blind faith. Consciousness, unity (not conformity), oneness, Mind, etc... these are things we can each experience and know that they are an undeniable part of the fabric of our reality. Put faith in things you know, not things of metaphysics.

The scientific method (for measurable truths) and dialectical or argumentative method (for immeasurable truths) are the two most important.

I use this ancient Vedic formula: To know truth three things must be present... 1) Scriptural Authority (in this day and age science might count for this) Is the notion sanctioned by an appropriate authority? 2) Reason - does it seem reasonable to you? 3) Experience- does it bare out in experience? I think this is brilliant because it presumes that each of has has an ability to know truth, rather than truth being some external thing. Plus, it endows each of us with a responsibility that authority-validation by itself robs us of.

Your best bet is to take a college level course in formal logic. You'll learn about formal arguments, how to identify fallacies (circular reasoning, ad-hominem attacks, etc.), truth tables, and other tools of critical thinking.

We have three Tools with us to discern "Truth". They are body, mind and intellect. If we use these facilities diligently we will uncover Truth, which is unchangeable and permanent.