Final answer:
A true statement generally cannot be slanderous or libelous since both involve the communication of false information. Truth is a fundamental defense in such accusations and aligns with the core principle that a true statement accurately depicts reality.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a statement is true, it generally cannot be slanderous or libelous. Both slander and libel involve the communication of false information that harms the reputation of an individual or entity. Statements that convey true information, even if they are critical or negative, are not considered slander or libel because truth is a defense to these accusations. This principle was highlighted in the legal defense during the John Peter Zenger trial, where the argument that a statement is not libelous if it can be proved true was key to the case.
In the context of the debate over what constitutes truth, it's important to note that at its core, a true statement aligns with reality—as Aristotle suggested, it says of something that it is what it is. Absolutes in truth are echoed in claims of knowledge because you cannot know something false; knowledge implies truth.