Pyramid Philosophical

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Dilemma

Viewing the other side of the coin and the challenge to 'mainstream conditioned-thinking' has a terrible downside by enabling the potential lie to survive. To offset short-term unhappiness, the lie is maintained, but in the longer term, more damage can be done by sustaining beliefs that are very harmful. Challenging concepts that are regarded as 'untruths' can be awakening and damaging at the same time. Burying your head in the sand can be damaging as the requirement for breathable air is compromised. Argument invariably has at least two sides. It must have or else the term argument is wrong. Agreement would be more appropriate.

Truth

By challenge, a more reasoned truth is the most likely outcome. This is the basis of proceedings in a court of law. Even then, truth is often defeated as outcomes are changed where the verdict has later been judged unsafe or wrong. A prosecutor's goal is to prove guilt. Defence counsel aims to do just that: prove innocence. A judgement can only be arrived at (in theory) by considering the evidence presented in court. Nothing else. A jury can only (honestly) weigh up the evidence presented during a trial. Personal feelings should not influence decisions.

The concept of 12 men and women, good and true can only function on a law of averages. A juror's prejudices can affect the outcome. Integrity should (is expected to) win the day in an individual juror's personal battles with conscience. This can potentially fail, but on average more are assumed to win. That defines a dangerous assumption.

The dilemma is met by maintaining a damaging lie in order to prevent the emotional 'down'. But a lie is still a lie and even telling a 'white lie' mitigates against saying 'how it is'. It could be wrong, but such a belief solidly based on the interpretation of evidence that has been misrepresented by half-truths does not convert a lie into truth.

The dilemma is resolved by becoming aware. If a storm is approaching, but is still some way off and consequently unnoticed, the comforting leisure-time may be wrecked by being made aware. In the short-term, pleasure is maintained, but supporting the wrong information results in being exposed to the storm when it is too late to seek refuge. The long-term effect may result in being too far up that creek, and without a paddle, to negotiate a return to safety.

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home