A necessary lesson
A necessary lesson
It is a harsh reality to finally come to the understanding that my belief does not change the facts or the truth. My position does in no way actually affect reality. All it does is influence the opinion of those I come in contact with.
I can influence others to agree with my opinion and perspective, I can guide others to see things as I do, but I cannot change the truth.
This understanding is interesting as I see a very large percentage of the world failing to grasp this simple point. Instead of recognizing our place in this reality or truth, we fight to convince or threaten people to side with our place or desire.
Truth by committee seems to be the new norm. Regardless of what actually happened if we have enough people agree with our position that becomes the truth. For example, all people were created equal”. Well, if people were not created at all then obviously this is faults. Or People are not equal, so they were not created, and so on. Now it is true I chose a very controversial statement simply because of those reading this I expect a minimum of three positions. And that is my point.
Can we all be correct? Very likely not. Who then is correct? The one who convinces the most people to agree with their position? The one who dominates the discussion? The one who intimidates the rest? Who is correct? How do we know? Truth by consensus, but is that actually the truth or just the truth we have chosen to select?
It is a harsh reality to finally understand that simply because I believe something does not make it true. Now, please understand I am not telling you to stop believing but instead actually listen to others when they speak to you and hear what they are saying. If you still feel like what they are saying is garbage, fine. But grant then that moment of courtesy and listen.
We all know of at least one scientific truth that is “true” simply due to enough people saying “sure, I have nothing better”. Let your ears be sharp and your mind sharper!
Blessings.
in Café beBee
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Comments
Greg Rolfe
2 years ago #10
@Pascal Derrien, you are correct. Our personal predisposed positions can create more problems than we might think. Even when we attempt to set them aside during research. A good reason for peer review. Assuming that your peers do not hold the same bias.
Pascal Derrien
2 years ago #9
We all carry our own bias in the interpretation of facts
Greg Rolfe
2 years ago #8
@Zacharias 🐝 Voulgaris, the sample size is in fact a significant issue. Unfortunately, we are very often comfortable making bold statements after finding just enough points to support our predisposed position. This can prevent us from actually seeking out enough information to actually make an informed choice as we believe we already have. Or as @John Rylance said we don't expect to be challenged. Which creates confusion when we are challenged, confusion and anger in many. I expect I tend to be guilty of not seeking enough points myself. I should change that. Thank you!
Greg Rolfe
2 years ago #7
Hi @Ken Boddie I agree with @Zacharias 🐝 Voulgaris, That was indeed nicely said. Fact stand on their own. What we do with them is an entirely different matter.
John Rylance
2 years ago #6
True.
I like to think I'm a ponderer.
You and @Zacharias 🐝 Voulgaris certainly are.
A character in a play on the TV, would make a comment and finish it with a very emphatic FACT.
While we might not be as loudly dictorial, we do tend to state something as a fact and not expect it to be challenged.
A bald statement is more likely to be accepted at face value than it being presented as a fact, which can lead to the response prove it.
Zacharias 🐝 Voulgaris
2 years ago #5
That's quite profound. I wish more people could have this kind of insight when pondering on information…
Ken Boddie
2 years ago #4
I've said it before and I'll say it again, Greg. Facts, interpretation, and opinion are all quite separate entities. Facts are facts and that's all. Whether they are true or have been distorted to appear true is a separate matter, but no amount of spin and manipulation of facts, in order to cultivate opinion through various forms of interpretation, can possibly changes the actual facts. Facts are facts and that's that. We can't change them. We can only attempt to change the opinions of others and indeed ourselves by looking carefully at the facts that are available to us at any particular time and using experience to draw conclusions from them. The problem is that so many of us don't, won't or can't differentiate between fact, interpretation and opinion.
Zacharias 🐝 Voulgaris
2 years ago #3
Without adhering to the philosophy of relativism, I have to entertain the idea that perhaps our truths come with an expiration date. And without being too cynical, I have to admit that it all depends on the data at hand. The same phenomenon, when viewed based on different samples of data (no one knows everything, right?) may be interpreted in completely different ways. The problem lies in the fact that someone with a limited sample may not understand (or even fathom) that the other person may be using a (much) larger sample when he makes his inferences. So, unless we become data literate and learn to work with the confidence spectrum rather than absolute certainties, I don't see a way out of this situation.
Thanks for the insightful and thought-provoking article.
Greg Rolfe
2 years ago #2
Hello Jennifer! Thank you for your input!!
Jennifer lewis
2 years ago #1
it is. huge responsibility recognizing our own roles in all that we do and can be capable of doing!