REALITY VS. TRUTH: Unseen Above the Seen

Reality and "truth" are words that evoke a vast array of ideas and sensations in the human mind. My goal here is not to be overly literal or pedantic, but to establish an important distinction. It is often not meaningful to ask directly what reality and truth are, as they are simply words that evoke "clouds of meaning." Instead, it is more useful to define these words within a specific context to understand how they function in our lives.

REALITY
Reality is a convenient word used within a materialistic context. It starts with the assumption that there is "stuff" out there—objective matter that exists outside of what we imagine or sense. This assumption allows us to contrast internal sensations with external facts. For example, one might say, "I know you feel cold, but in reality, it is quite hot outside." Here, reality represents the actual state of the world, assuming it is possible for an individual to be mistaken. The word "reality" inherently invites a comparison with fantasy or subjective perception.

TRUTH
In this context, I define "truth" as the set of claims that an individual finds undeniable. Truth is a form of "if-then" logic. If you follow a specific set of steps and accept those steps as meaningful, then you must accept the conclusion.
For instance, I believe it is true that viruses cause the common cold. If I dig deeper, that belief is founded on an "if": if the methods, models, and observations of science are correct, then viruses cause colds. Because I have accepted the system of scientific deduction, I have no choice but to accept the conclusion. It becomes undeniable to me.
However, truth as a subjective state does not always have to be connected to formal logic. If someone is compelled by an unexplainable feeling to believe that aliens are listening to their phone calls, that becomes a "truth" to them, even if it does not align with reality.

The Distinction
I choose to differentiate the two by using Real to describe the objective state of matter and Truth to describe whatever an individual find undeniable.
Deniability is subjective; it differs from person to person and system to system. It is always based on an intellectual or emotional "glue" that compels a person to reach a particular conclusion. To be clear, this is not a push for pure relativism. I am not suggesting that "your reality" and "my reality" are always equal in terms of what actually exists. Planet Earth exists, and it has only one moon; if someone claims there are two, they are simply wrong about reality.
By defining "truth" as that which a person finds undeniable, we can better understand human conviction. We must recognize that while there is an objective reality out there, each of us operates based on our own "truth"—the things we find impossible to deny. Understanding this gap is essential for meaningful communication and personal growth.
REAL DOESN'T NECESSARY MEAN TRUE!