Truth

Since when did truth become so complicated? Isn't truth supposed to be one thing on which we can all agree? For instance, I can look outside my office window and see that it is not raining. How could anyone take issue with that? Who could or would dispute that? The only time that truth will change is if it suddenly starts to rain. At that point, I will come forward with another truth: it's raining. Where things get complicated is when while I sit here looking at the non-rain, a person in Wisconsin may be looking out his or her office window and see that it is raining. Now we have two people telling the truth even though we are directly contradicting each other. How can this be reconciled?

The answer in this simple scenario is easy: each of us has to qualify what we are saying by sharing more information. That person needs to disclose that it is raining outside their office in Wisconsin while I need to say it is not raining outside of my office in Virginia. This is one reason why context is important. It helps put facts in an appropriate frame and therefore makes them credible. Without that proper and accurate context, the so-called truth can be misleading, misinterpreted, and misunderstood. It does not matter how nicely packaged any given truth might be. Statements of truth - as straightforward and simple as they may be - need context. Otherwise, while any one can speak truth, that does not mean what they are saying is true.

The 2008 presidential election is now in full swing and much "truth" is being put forth. But how much of this can be believed? We the recipients of this truth need to hold what we are hearing to the high standard it deserves by insisting all truth told us must be placed in proper context. If not, then we will not accept it as it is being given and will also question the credibility of the person or persons who are attempting to present that truth. Does that mean the candidates' message may need to be a bit more complex than they have been up till now? Maybe. Does that mean we are going to need to be better and more discerning listeners? No doubt. But when one is dealing with such a simple entity as truth, then it is vital that we keep the bar raised as high as possible.