Truth is the reliability of a map of reality, the usefulness of a model of the world.
Maps which abstractly represent reality can be created in different languages (natural or technical) and at different levels of description (e.g., pedagogic, cultural, high-level scientific, or low-level scientific).
Scientists are the most reliable mapmakers, and their most detailed maps are low-level1 and math-heavy.
Spiritualists are the least reliable mapmakers, creating maps based on crude imagination.
Philosophers compare maps and think about mapping functions.
Wisdom means to know which map to pick in a given situation.
Common sense means that you don’t just follow the map blindly: if it sends you down a road that doesn’t exist, you don’t pretend it does.
Morality is a navigation system that tells you which roads to take, but doesn’t allow you to set the destination for yourself.
Religion is a navigation system that has its route preset by tradition and comes with an outdated map.
Mystics are those who take a permanent marker and scribble on the map until everything is plain-colored.
Zen is the teaching that you should get rid of your maps and look at the road.
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