This is supposedly the question of the man we call Pontius Pilate: Quid est Veritas? According to Francis Bacon "jesting Pilate" asked this question but "did not stay for an answer." According to the Gospel of John, Pilate was responding to Jesus' claim that he (Jesus) was a witness to the truth.
If Pilate asked this question, I doubt he was jesting. I think it's more likely that that he was noting that Jesus was brought before him because there clearly was a disagreement regarding what the truth was, and whether he was witness to it. Truth is disputed all the time, particularly when it's believed that what is true neither has been nor should be determined through intelligent investigation and inquiry, but is instead revealed or is as claimed by an authority figure.
Those with such a narrow, limited conception of "truth" are inclined to be irrationally sensitive to criticism and can even be enraged if contradicted. They can't tolerate being challenged or worse yet expected to explain or justify what they believe. Resentment or outrage is characteristic of the true believer when questioned. The more preposterous the "truth" believed, the greater the resentment and outrage.
As a result, they can react violently to dissent. Their response is excessive. They're blind to the consequences of their outrage. In fact, consequences aren't significant according to their peculiar logic. Those who disagree deserve to suffer because they disagree.
If Pilate asked what it's claimed he asked and did so in the circumstances it's claimed took place, then perhaps the question wasn't a quip or an expression of futile relativism in the face of what is absolutely true. It may instead have been an acknowledgement of the fact that when there is a dispute judgment is required. We must ask what is true, and make a determination.
We make no judgment, certainly not an informed or intelligent one, when we fail to ask what is true in attempting to define let alone resolve a dispute.
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