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The evolution of truth

Michael A. Peters
TEDxRuakura

We have heard over and over that we now live in a post truth world …
What does that even mean?
Facts are Facts, Truth is Truth right?

The answer is not as simple as you might think. In this wide ranging talk, Professor Peters shows us how Truth had different meanings in different cultures and different times in our past. Giving us a sense of how Truth has evolved into the Post Truth model that has become so prevalent today.

Given this context, what does truth really mean to our lives on a day-to-day basis? Where will truth evolve to from here? And how can we influence the evolution of truth from here?

This talk was part of TEDxRuakura 2017: I think, therefore I am. I drink, therefore I am.

Professor Michael A. Peters has spent many an evening pondering the importance of philosophy for everyday life over a glass of vino or two. A Professor of Education at the University of Waikato and Emeritus Professor in educational policy, organisation, and leadership at the University of Illinois, Professor Peters also used to own a vineyard. “I like the connection between wine and philosophy.”

With two honorary doctorates, over eighty books and five hundred papers and chapters to his name, his interests are in education, philosophy, social policy and particularly knowledge production and consumption. His latest research focuses on distributed knowledge, learning and publishing systems, and open education.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

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Michael A. Peters

Michael A. Peters (FRSNZ, FHSNZ, FPESA) is a globally recognised scholar whose interdisciplinary work spans philosophy of education, political economy and ecological civilisation. He holds the distinction of Emeritus Professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (U.S.A.), Distinguished Visiting Professor at Tsinghua University (P.R. China), and Research Associate in the Philosophy Program at Waikato University (New Zealand).

Previously, he served as Distinguished Professor of Education at Beijing Normal University (2018–2024) and held prestigious appointments including Personal Chair at the University of Auckland (2000), Research Chair at the University of Glasgow (2000–2006), Excellence Hire Professor at the University of Illinois (2005–2011), and Professor of Education at the University of Waikato (2011–2018).

A prolific author, Professor Peters has written over 120 books and 500 articles, shaping discourse in educational theory, philosophy, and critical policy studies. He served as Editor-in-Chief of Educational Philosophy and Theory for 25 years and founded multiple international journals, cementing his role as a leader in academic publishing.

His contributions have been honoured with fellowships in the Royal Society of New Zealand (FRSNZ, 2008) and the Humanities Society of New Zealand (FHSNZ, 2006), alongside honorary doctorates from State University of New York (SUNY, 2012) and the University of Aalborg (2015).

His latest research explores post-apocalyptic philosophy and ecological futures, including the forthcoming Civilisational Collapse and the Philosophy of Post-Apocalyptic Survival (Peter Lang, 2025). He is currently editing the Handbook of Ecological Civilization (Springer, 2025), advancing critical dialogues on sustainability and global transformation.

For more on his work, visit: https://michaeladrianpeters.com/