How Do We Know It’s True?

A drama scene for teens coming from the one-act eplay The Outcome of Design about a young philosopher and the meaning of life.

Featured Scene – The Outcome of Design

GESEBEL: How do we know it’s true?

JEFFREY: What’s true?

GESEBEL: How do we know that the theories we create, the things we imagine, are valid?

JEFFREY: Math is true.

GESEBEL: Math makes sense, that doesn’t make it true.

JEFFREY: So, how do we know what’s true?

GESEBEL: We don’t. We’re all just destined to starve when it comes to heightened knowledge.

JEFFREY: That’s pessimistic.

GESEBEL: It’s true.

JEFFREY: So, there is something true. The convictions of one’s point of view.

GESEBEL: Our feelings are true.

JEFFREY: Hmmm. Feelings. Emotions. What if they aren’t?

GESEBEL: Feelings have to be true.

JEFFREY: No, they don’t.

GESEBEL: Yeah.

JEFFREY: Maybe feelings are a lie. Maybe we feel what we feel, but emotions they are fake.

GESEBEL: How can they be fake?

JEFFREY: What if we’re programmed?

GESEBEL: Programmed?

JEFFREY: Programmed to feel a certain way, based on a certain scenario.

GESEBEL: That makes everything programmed then.

JEFFREY: And what if that’s so?

GESEBEL: …I don’t want to be a program.

JEFFREY: Neither do I…

GESEBEL stands up and takes hold
of a small flat rock.

GESEBEL: If I take this rock and throw is sideways into the lake it will skip. If I do it again it will skip differently. Each time I throw it, the action will have a different outcome. True or false?

JEFFREY: True.

GESEBEL: That means there is unlimited paths this rock could take.

JEFFREY: Unlimited programming.

GESEBEL: You’re saying everything is preconceived?

JEFFREY: I’m saying there is truth to how that rock will bounce, based on the truth of how you throw it. There is truth in the program…which could be math, by the way.

• To read the full ePlay The Outcome of Design, find purchase button below:

Scene Summary

In this one-act The Outcome of Design, Jeffrey and Gesebel share their philosophies about life, existence and meaning.

• Genre: Drama
• Length: ~5 minute scene
• Characters: 1 woman, 1 man
• Themes: discovery, philosophy
• Best For: Teen Scenes

FAQ

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Scene Source: The Outcome of Design

The Outcome of Design is a drama play script by Joseph Arnone, 2026.