"Truly I tell you..."

It’s been a long time since I’ve written. There’s no real excuse except the grindstone of life, school, relationships, and other extracurricular obligations. Oh, and the failure of technology...

I am writing because of truth. I’ve noticed that a lot of people get hung up on that word, as well as other related issues. Philosophers argue, for example that there is no truth. There can be no absolute or objective truth – all truth is therefore subjective or relative. Some argue that there are definitely certain things in this life that are in fact true, and therefore are worth fighting for – dying for – possibly killing for.

Academia, the current juices in which I wallow, is full of varying understandings of truth. Most recently I’ve become interested in the liberal machine and how it moves, or doesn’t towards truth. I think Gandhi had it right when he said that both sides of an issue may have varying levels of truth and through conversation, debate, and dialogue we are able to come to a solution which incorporates the most truth we can.

The university, often a bastion of liberal thinking, in many departments has forgotten this very key thing. Different perspectives can hold different levels of truth. Despite being right or wrong, true or false, they are valid and important because opposing perspectives further fortify our convictions. They help us because they cause us to struggle and to question. It is essential that our positions be re-evaluated, if only to make them stronger. However it is okay if we throw them out. It is okay to be wrong, because, as said earlier, this can only help us along our way to something more helpful – more truthful.

A problem in many liberal minded departments is the total disregard for opposing perspectives. We say, oh yes, we are ‘open-minded’ but we really aren’t. We imply, through various turns of phrase, that we mean to be inclusive, but put up walls that alienate and infuriate. No. This is NOT the way to go about doing things. It is not effective. It is not helpful. Why? Because these walls are erected, we remove the possibility of dialogue. Because we close ourselves off, we cannot reconsider and re-evaluate.

It comes out in destructive and upsetting ways in classes. Partially because so many of our cold logically trained minds will react to things in emotionally charged ways which leave no room for opposition. Yes, be passionate. Yes, have an opinion. However, be strong enough to notice your emotional responses and why you have these responses to a particular comment or question. Is it the phrasing? Is it the person? Is it the fact you didn’t eat that day? Did you not sleep the night before? To let those kinds of things rule your day, your responses to intellectual conversation is dangerous. To let preconceptions prevent further consideration is dangerous. By allowing yourself to be angered by a potential ally’s careless phrase is not helpful. Rather, suggest alternative constructions or clarifications.

So, to sum up: Strong emotions and preconceived notions which blind are the enemies of dialoguing and truth-seeking. Truth may not be absolute, but there is something that feels right or feels true can be present in two opposing perspectives. Dialoguing between opposing perspectives is the most effective way towards truth. So, stick it to your professors or your friends – take up an opposing perspective, or even one that is wrong. Get into a debate. It’s fun. It’s invigorating. It helps send us on our way…