Fighting for Truth

Many years ago there was a popular television show called "Kung Fu" in which the main character traveled the earth in search of a higher truth. His mission certainly seemed worthwhile as it spoke to the importance of all of us trying to be the best we can be. Never mind that in most every episode he found himself in a knockdown-drag out kung fu fight. I am guessing the writers here were trying to suggest that all important goals are worth fighting for. I am sure that is true, yet I hope for myself and all others as we strive to be the best we can be that it does not involve kung fu fighting. I, for one, would be in big trouble.


This is not to say truth is not worth fighting for. But what happens if that so-called truth is not something on which everyone agrees? Suppose there is no ultimate truth because everyone has their own perspective on what that might be? That being the case, it seems as if we would have a lot of people fighting or arguing over something they do not agree on in the first place. That cannot be good for any society. After all, how productive can any society be if it is characterized primarily by the frequency and intensity of its turmoil versus the ways it strives to maintain and enhance its level of harmony?


Perhaps one problem our society faces these days is that we seem to be confusing truth with perspective. For many, perspective on such issues as climate change, raising minimum wage or health care - to name a few hot button issues - becomes reality, and, therefore, reality becomes truth. Given such a dynamic, we sure seem to have a lot of "truths" floating around. Somehow, the actual truth has become lost or relegated to a back row. Perspective is what is driving so much debate and conversation these days. Perhaps it is time for professional communicators to begin doing what they can to return truth to the front row stop supporting those who believe perspective is more important.