The root of our Truth Decay Crisis. Americans have forgotten or never fully grasped the profundity that “we hold these truths to be self evident”.
The first and last thing required of genius is the love of truth. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
“Sometimes people don't want to hear the truth because they don't want their illusions destroyed.” - Friedrich Nietzsche
“The sad truth...is that most evil is done by people who never made up their minds to be or do either evil or good.” Hannah Arendt Hannah Arendt (1906-1975) German-American political theorist, escaped Nazi Germany
“Never has our future been more unpredictable, never have we depended so much on political forces that cannot be trusted to follow the rules of common sense and self-interest—forces that look like sheer insanity" - Hannah Arendt, The Origins of Totalitarianism
"Politically speaking, tribal nationalism [patriotism] always insists that its own people are surrounded by 'a world of enemies' - 'one against all' - and that a fundamental difference exists between this people and all others. It claims its people to be unique, individual, incompatible with all others, and denies theoretically the very possibility of a common mankind long before it is used to destroy the humanity of man." -Hannah Arendt, The Origins Of Totalitarianism p.227
Thus…“Truth decay.”
"What convinces masses are not facts, and not even invented facts, but only the consistency of the system of which they are presumably part.” Hannah Arendt
"What makes it so plausible to assume that hypocrisy is the vice of vices is that integrity can indeed exist under the cover of all other vices except this one. Only crime and the criminal, it is true, confront us with the perplexity of radical evil; but only the hypocrite is really rotten to the core." -- Hannah Arendt Source: On Revolution (1963), ch. 2.
"The simple step of a courageous individual is not to take part in the lie. One word of truth outweighs the world." -- Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (1918-2008) Russian novelist, Soviet dissident, imprisoned for 8 years for criticizing Stalin in a personal letter, Nobel Prize for Literature, 1970.
“Is Truth Dead?” was Time magazine’s January 2017 cover story after the election of President Trump and the peaking of ‘fake news’. Ironically that cover story marked that magazine’s 50th anniversary cover story “Is God Dead”.
While some are still wrestling with the reality of God it is a scientific assessment that no human is capable of proving with 100% certainty that she does NOT exist. The best one can rationally be is agnostic. But there should be universal agreement that truth does exist. That last Time cover page sparked in my memory the phrase “we hold these truths to be self-evident”. As a biologist I’m certain that there are many truths that are self-evident. “A child should not die before their parents!” “You can fight gravity, but you cannot win sustainably.” I hold evolution to be a self-evident Truth. Things change! And if a species does not adapt to those changes, its chances of surviving and thriving into the next generation is nil. With the understanding and reasonable acceptance that the very creation of the universe and “the Laws of Nature and Nature’s God” are enforced consistently on earth as it is in the heavens. And everything is connected, interdependent, vulnerable, and a change in everything but these laws is constant. And that is why Albert Einstein insisted humanity needs both science and religion. Cw
“To kill an error is as good a service as, and sometimes even better than, the establishing of a new truth or fact.“ Charles Darwin
"One of the best ways to get yourself a reputation as a dangerous citizen these days is to go about repeating the very phrases which our founding fathers used in the great struggle for independence." -- Charles Austin Beard (1874-1948) Professor at Columbia University 1935
“We hold these truths to be self-evident….” All people are endowed with certain inalienable Rights…
"It is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren, till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst and provide for it." – Patrick Henry, Speech in Virginia Convention [March 23, 1775]
"It is wrong always, everywhere and for everyone to believe anything upon insufficient evidence." -- William Kingdon Clifford (1845-1879) English mathematician and philosopher
The third tool of discipline or technique of dealing with the pain of problem-solving, which must continually be employed if our lives are to be healthy and our spirits are to grow, is dedication to the truth. Superficially, this should be obvious. For truth is reality. That which is false is unreal. The more clearly we see the reality of the world, the better equipped we are to deal with the world. The less clearly we see the reality of the world — the more our minds are befuddled by falsehood, misconceptions and illusions — the less able we will be to determine correct courses of action and make wise decisions. Our view of reality is like a map with which to negotiate the terrain of life. If the map is true and accurate, we will generally know where we are, and if we have decided where we want to go, we will generally know how to get there. If the map is false and inaccurate, we generally will be lost. – M. Scott Peck, The Road Less Traveled [1978]
"Man prefers to believe what he prefers to be true." -- Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1626) Philosopher, British Lord Chancellor Source: Norvum Organum (1620)
“The steep decline in America's image and standing after 9/11 is a direct reflection of global distaste for the instruments of American hard power: the Iraq invasion, Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib, torture, rendition, Blackwater's killings of Iraqi civilians” Shashi Tharoor
9-10-21: Smithsonian talk….In the wake of the January 6 siege on the Capitol, bitter political divisiveness, anger, and irrational thinking continue to roil the United States, inhibiting the possibility of logical debate. Disturbed by the contentious state of politics and the disappearance of “truth, "Enlightenment scholar Seth David Radwell decided to take a deep dive into American history in search of the root causes of this split.
In this investigative tracing of our nation’s divergent roots, Radwell explains that only reasoned analysis and historical perspective can act as salves for the irrational political discourse that is currently crowding out even the most remote opportunities to solve our most pressing problems.
Looking into foundational documents and the influence of the European Enlightenment, Radwell discovered a startling truth: Two disparate Americas have always coexisted, and the surprising origin of this was not an Enlightenment, but two distinct Enlightenments that have been fiercely competing since the founding of our country.
He discusses the nature of this divided vision and the core issues at the heart of the current national brawl. He also proposes a plan to begin the process of repair and reconciliation: a new dialogue between all thoughtful Americans, informed by our country’s history.
Radwell is an internationally known business executive and thought leader in consumer marketing. His new book, American Schism: How the Two Enlightenments Hold the Secret to Healing Our Nation (Greenleaf Book Group), is available for purchase.
"Freedom had been hunted round the globe; reason was considered as rebellion.
and the slavery of fear had made men afraid to think. But such is the irresistible nature of truth, that all it asks, and all it wants, is the liberty of appearing." -- Thomas Paine (1737-1809) US Founding father, pamphleteer, author
"I think the subject which will be of most importance politically is Mass Psychology. ...It's importance has been enormously increased by the growth of modern methods of propaganda ...Although this science will be diligently studied, it will be rigidly confined to the governing class. The populace will not be allowed to know how its convictions were generated." -- Bertrand Russell [Bertrand Arthur William Russell] (1872-1970) Philosopher, educator
"It is easier to find a score of men wise enough to discover the truth than to find one intrepid enough, in the face of opposition, to stand up for it." -- A. A. Hodge [Archibald Alexander Hodge] (1823-1886) American Presbyterian leader, principal of Princeton Seminary
3-29-23: ChatGPT: What would be a streamlined version of the 10 Commandments to fight Truth decay?
"Truth decay" is a phenomenon characterized by the declining trust in facts, experts, and institutions that make up the foundation of our society. To fight truth decay, here are a few commandments that can be useful:
Seek evidence: Always seek out credible sources of information and evidence to support your beliefs and arguments.
Verify information: Before sharing information or making a statement, verify it with reputable sources and fact-checkers to ensure accuracy.
Think critically: Question assumptions, challenge opinions, and analyze arguments to arrive at your own conclusions.
Respect expertise: Acknowledge and respect the knowledge and expertise of professionals in their fields.
Be honest: Avoid lying, deceiving, or manipulating information to further your own agenda.
Listen to others: Listen actively and attentively to others, even when you disagree with them.
Foster civil discourse: Engage in civil discourse that promotes respectful, open-minded, and constructive communication.
Embrace diversity: Recognize and appreciate the value of diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds.
Practice empathy: Try to understand and empathize with the perspectives and experiences of others, even if you don't agree with them.
Be accountable: Take responsibility for your own actions and words, and hold others accountable for theirs.
3-29-23: ChatGPT: Would relying only on fundamental principles or self-evident truths be useful in combating Truth Decay?
While relying on fundamental principles or self-evident truths can certainly be useful in combating truth decay, it may not be sufficient on its own.
Fundamental principles and self-evident truths are those that are considered to be true and valid without the need for proof or evidence. These principles are often based on widely accepted values and beliefs, such as the idea that all human beings are created equal, or that honesty and integrity are important virtues.
However, in today's complex and interconnected world, many issues and questions are not easily resolved by appealing to fundamental principles alone. To truly combat truth decay, it is also important to rely on critical thinking, careful analysis, and the use of evidence and expertise.
In other words, while fundamental principles and self-evident truths can be helpful starting points, they must be complemented by rigorous intellectual inquiry and a commitment to seeking out and evaluating evidence in order to arrive at accurate and trustworthy conclusions.
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