Truth as a maze
In my youth, I used to be harsh on the people I did not agree with.
And here lie some of the problems with this:
Not being the guardian of absolute truth my judgment of others was questionable, to say the least
Even if we were to assume a fact to be objectively true, contrarian beliefs may still hold some merit
And I’ll offer three examples of false beliefs, one being a personal one, that may prove to be useful during our lifetime. One from climate change, another regarding relationships, and the third one related to inner peace.
I
The first one is the idea that we can change the world by planting trees.
There was a video circling youtube at some point about a man who spent his entire life planting trees in some remote deserted place in Asia. Maybe he felt this was a transcendent purpose, capable of changing the world.
Even though we may justify the falseness of his belief - since we can’t feel his little forest’s effects either in Europe or in the US, the man felt joy and significance during his undertaking. For him, using that false belief was worth it because it brought him fulfillment and the drive to continue his mission into his latest years.
II
The second one is a personal example. I hold the conviction that I have so much to offer to the woman beside me that there is no way she will ever think of cheating me. We’re not even going to discuss the idea of her actually doing it. And this, despite me being cheated on with one of my best friends almost 20 years ago.
We may see this as arrogance weaponization for the greater good. The belief is, obviously, false, but I choose to hold it and it is, in my mind, extremely justified by the man I am today and the peace of mind it provides.
III
And the third example is more abstract and has to do with mental health, a topic so vital to any of us.
We’re all perceiving reality through unique filters resulting from our convictions, rationales, and life experiences. Our self-image and our worldview are sometimes distorted not because we are too stupid to see things clearly, but because we don’t have the power to accept them.
And, since most people, in most cases prefer inner peace to knowing the truth we then choose to interpret reality in such a way that it fits just perfectly, like a puzzle piece, into our worldview, for which we have a high attachment.
And all these only for the tranquility of closing our eyes late at night.
Sometimes the cost of confronting the truth is unbearable. It’s measured in extra beats per minute, wrinkles, white strands of hair, and tears.
Some people die before being able to admit facts that are obvious to everyone around them, just because of their inability to process that information.
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So, next time we disagree with someone, it’s worth having a more nuanced and gentle approach.
I see myself as being in a continuous search for truth, provided that I can recognize and understand it, and I choose to promote it with kindness and empathy for myself and the ones around me.
Maybe someone’s false belief is a base for a noble mission, an utilitarian and very effective approach that harms no one or sustains the balance of a fragile individual.
I think that truth is not everything… cause we’re all human.
