A Manifesto Against Truth

By on December 22, 2012 in News 2

Picture: Ardfern (CC)

Mikhail Lyubansky, Ph.D, writing in Psychology Today, from 2011:

The problem with truth is that it can be just as destructive as a lie, sometimes more so.

This is self-evident for most adults. That’s why we have the concept and vocabulary of a “white lie” (and yes, even our language has racist overtones).

Yet, when it comes to racism and anti-Semitism, “truth” and “facts” are frequently assumed to trump any other argument. They don’t.

Consider this a manifesto against truth.

Don’t get me wrong: I like verifiable, data-supported facts as much as the next person, perhaps more than many, given my training and background in research.  Even so, I have issues with “truth” — serious issues.

Here are my Top 3:

#1 There is rarely a single truth. Philosophers have long observed that our reality — our “truth” — is strongly influenced (if not outright determined) by one’s perspective or point of view. Rather than elaborating, I urge you to watch this video of Chimamanda Adichie about “The Danger of a Single Story.”

Read more here.

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  • http://twitter.com/TedHeistman Ted Heistman

    I think belief is dangerous. I think it goes hand in had with kiddy fiddling for a reason. If you take someone else’s word for something, such as an authority figure and give your trust to them it creates a psychic bond. They are then able to literally feed on your consciousness.

    Its not so much truth but belief that is the problem. Everyone needs models to navigate the world. As long as you realize its a model and that its provisional you are OK.

  • BuzzCoastin

    it’s been pretty obvious for decades that TRUTH
    is the whore of Babylon
    selling itself to the highest bidder