Veritas Fax Ardens – Truth Is a Flaming Torch

Based on the vast amount of truth theories that have been suggested by a myriad of thinkers from various disciplines, it can be inferred that the question of truth has occupied humankind since the beginning of its existence. Even though some of these theories appear more promising than others, it also seems that every suggested answer poses yet further questions about what truth really is. This seemingly endless stream of debates and contradictory theories further indicates that the nature of truth remains an enigma and subject to interpretation. Reflecting on Dominican University’s Latin motto “Veritas Fax Ardens” (Truth Is a Flaming Torch), this thesis explores the nature and subjectivity of truth in the form of narrative nonfiction. In particular, this creative work asks what truth is, and how different thinkers from disciplines such as philosophy, religion, science, and literature approach the question of truth. Lastly, it is also a reflection of my academic journey, which led me to believe that truth might be as variable as the flickering light of a flaming torch

Revisioning the Devī Māhātmya: A Creative Approach to Ecofeminism

This creative project consists of two parts and revisions the 6th century puranic Goddess myth Devī Māhātmya through a critical ecofeminist lens. The first part serves as an introduction into mythology, ecofeminism, and the historical and contextual aspects of the Devī Māhātmya. This academic essay investigates how myths provide humanity with a sense of meaning and belonging. The second part of this project is a creative writing piece and a contemporary revision of the Devī Māhātmya. The aim of this approach is to demonstrate the extent to which myths continue to inform and shape us, with particular regard to the impact such narratives have on women and the natural world. Moreover, this creative project is a call to revisit old stories and find new, more empowering narratives which affirm the intrinsic value of women and the natural world

Veritas Fax Ardens - Truth is a Flaming Torch

Based on the vast amount of truth theories that have been suggested by a myriad of thinkers from various disciplines, it can be inferred that the question of truth has occupied mankind since the beginning of its existence. Even though, some of these theories appear more promising than others, it also seems that every suggested answer poses yet further questions about what truth really is. This seemingly endless stream of debates and contradictory theories are further indicating that the nature of truth remains an enigma and subject to interpretation. Reflecting on the Latin motto of Dominican University of California “Veritas Fax Ardens” (truth is a flaming torch), this thesis explores the nature and subjectivity of truth in form of narrative non-fiction. In particular, this creative work asks what truth is, and how different thinkers from disciplines such as literature, philosophy, religion, and science approach the question of truth. Finally, this thesis also considers how truth appears to be as variable as the flickering light of a flaming torch