Loading ...Truth and fact are two words that people often use interchangeably. In many cases, this interplay of words means little. Truth is often fact just as fact is often truth. But there are subtleties to the meanings of these two words that escape most people. While many are fine eschewing such subtle distinctions, I posit that the disregard of these distinctions enables the prejudicial bias so rampant in our government and legal system. Let me first begin with the true distinction between truth and fact.
Facts are irrefutable. They can be proven time and time again without fail. Facts are derived from the scientific method. They are methodical and pure, changeable yet absolute in their time. They are objective and cold, dry and inhumane. They give no regard to condition or circumstance. Their only lord is the universe and the laws which it begets. Facts are the codification of the physical universe.
Truths, on the other hand, are proven and disproved every day. Often based in fact, truths are the emotional extension of facts. They are subjective and emotional, dynamic yet simple. Truths take a fact and combine the totality of the environment, situation, and unverifiable subjectivity of the individuals or things involved. You can think of the truth as a fact encapsulated by life. That life is different for everyone thus the truth of a fact is also unique for each person. Facts change over time while truths can change by the second. There is no lord of truth, only the filter of a mind attempting to see the truth.
Now that we know the distinction between fact and truth, let me say a few words about our societies use of fact and truth.
Our democratic society is based on facts. Facts drive our economy, our legal system, and our democratic process. In general, these things work. However, by simply basing all decisions on facts, we loose the humanity in the decisions we make. In our striving to be fair and equal, we cop out to the ease of decision making void of subjectivity and human emotion. In our quest to be equal we loose what it means to be human!
My approach is this…facts are important and are the basis for truth, but they are an incomplete picture of our human world. If we are to remain human, our decisions as a society must be based on human concerns. We should strive for truth in any situation rather than simply stopping at fact. Consideration must be given to our human nature and emotions if our social decisions are to have a lasting and positive impact and effect.
Remember these ideas the next time you are in a position of judgment or rule over others. The perfect decision cannot be achieved knowing only half of the story.
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