I'm trying to gather data for a personal research project and I'd appreciate your input... I've observed that there are at least two different ideas that people seem to be trying to communicate when they use the words "truth" or "true." The first (**A**) is in reference to what is sometimes called an "absolute" truth. Basically, it's a proposition that is logical, universal (applies equally throughout the entire physical universe), and eternal (it never changes). The second (**B**) is in reference to a summary statement of all available empirical data. Although it is considered universal, it is not thought to be eternal because we may eventually find data that contradicts the initial statement and the initial statement is no longer is an accurate summary of all of the available data. For example, each position might refer to the progression from Ptolemy to Copernicus in the following ways: **A**: "Although people once thought the Earth was the center of the universe, that idea was false and they were wrong. The truth always has been and always will be heliocentrism." OR **B**: "It was once true that the Earth was the center of the universe, but we have since collected more data, and that has led to the current truth that the Earth actually revolves around the Sun." I understand that many people may use either definition in different situations and that context is immensely important for understanding what is meant, but I'm curious to get an idea of what *most* people mean *most* of the time when they say something like "No, that's not true. The truth of the matter is X." **So, which idea, A or B, more closely resembles what you have in mind most of the time when you use the word "truth?"**