Architects of Truth
Every day our beliefs and actions manifest the tangible reality we live in. Too often we imagine truth as if it were outside the human experience or outside creation and influence. Truth becomes this illusive, objective thing we are searching for rather than consciously producing with our agency.
We use logic, math, science, facts, and reason to justify our pursuit of “objective truth,” but do so without fully acknowledging the limitations of our search and undervaluing the power and utility of our own creation. Too often we treat logic, math, and science as if these are universally valued in the construction of reality. For the record, all logic is circular. Logic is proven within the rules of logic. Math is proven within the bounds of math. Justifying the scientific method within the scientific method is the definition of circular reasoning.
This is not to say that logic, math, and science should be casually discarded because they are the product of our circular reasoning. Quite the contrary, these are among the most valuable tools we have in the construction of reality. However, this is to say that these are not the only tools (nor are they objective tools) in the production of knowledge and truth.
Myth, storytelling, imagination, fiction, feelings, and religion are among the tools we are using in our epistemology. They are powerful tools too. If you need an example, consider the rise of Trumpism. Trump’s allure and power does not reside in traditional logic, math, or science. Trump’s power, in part, is the political parade of “alternative facts” and “fake news.” In a post-truth political arena, fighting myth with facts likely won’t yield the results you’re hoping for.
Underestimating myth as a unworthy ally or adversary is a mistake. A passionate myth is a force to be reckoned with regardless of whether it follows the rules of logic. If you need an example, consider the campaign of “gender equality.” It’s a powerful myth that has manifested tangible realities―realities I greatly benefit from. However, “gender equality” is a myth. The idea of “equality” only exists within our hopeful imaginations, but even so it is no less shaping the world we live in despite its non-existence. The most powerful myths are the myths people believe to be true. Beliefs manifests actions, actions manifest realities, and realities manifest truth. Thus, the power of “truth” resides in belief, at least in part.
We are the architects of the elusive entity we call “truth.” This is one reason why when Ben Shapiro says, “Facts don’t care about your feelings,” he couldn’t be more wrong. Facts quite literally are the product of our feelings, beliefs, actions, and circular logic. Facts, like math and science, do not exist outside the environment with which they are created. Facts are not independent, nonpartial, unbiased, or objective. Facts, and by extension “truth,” are anything but objective when facts are produced with feelings, human subjectivity, and bias.
However, Ben Shapiro sold a powerful myth with the idea that “facts don’t care about your feelings.” This myth gives him and his followers the illusion objectivity. If objective facts are on his side, how could he possibly be wrong? If a fact confirms his biases he can claim impartiality with the myth that “facts don’t care about his feelings.” In this case, objectivity is a mask worn by those wanting to hide or deny their own subjectivity. To be clear, this isn’t just a Ben Shapiro problem, this is an everyone problem. People tend to believe the “objective facts” are on their side. If the “objective facts” aren’t on their side there isn’t a shortage of resources devoted to the creation of new “objective facts” to counter the previously stated “objective facts.”
Truth is created, not found. For better and worse, it is this philosophical loophole where we get to be creative. We all have the power to produce myths. We’re doing it whether we know it or not. We are the creators of reality weaving a tapestry of “truth” with intersecting subjective realities. There is no set pattern to follow other than the one we design. Truth is a masterpiece woven in opposition not congruency. It is only by balancing opposing views that warp and weft create something durable, sustainable, useful, and beautiful. Warp and weft are friends, not foes, but for too long we’ve treated difference at the enemy of creativity rather than the playground of creativity.
We are creating truth―beautiful truths, ugly truths, harsh truths, loud truths, and quiet truths. We are creating the reality we live in with stories woven on a loom of circular reasoning. Whether you are using logic or religion, science or myth, fact or opinion, actuality or metaphor, politics or poetry, we need to stop using our tools of truth as weapons. We are the architects of truth, the least we can do is create something beautiful, lovely, of good report, or praiseworthy.
