How true are you to truth?

“Truth is truth, and cannot be coloured by the non-rational or supra-rational beliefs of the thinker.”

David Knowles

David Knowles (Benedictine monk and historian) showed how pre-Socratic philosophy, as understood by Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, was the search for truth, unfettered by dogma, authority and convention. Truth was (and should always be) the following of reason.

Another characteristic of the Greek mind of that period, distinguishing it from that of other minds, was its tendency and ability to intellectualize in terms of reason and order; to analyse and to criticize, to clarify and to define. Aristotle himself observed that ignorance and superstition are like twin idiots running rampant through the land. This is sadly still the case in our contemporary world.

Socrates said that he will not cease to philosophize. He did acknowledge that he did not know what is right, what is good or what is true, yet he will not pretend to know but he will rather stand by his convic­tion that truth must always be looked for and be pursued. This actually builds upon yesterday’s discussion; we need to pursue truth for truth’s sake and dispel those things we believe to be true but which are lies, fallacies, and myth.

Think for a moment. If you do not live a life built on truth, a life pursuing truth, then your life is a lie. Then you are not living an authentic life – it is as simple as that. That is why questioning is so important. Question everything and make sure you retain that which is built on strong facts. A life filled with assumptions, false dogma and non-logic, is not worth living. A truthful life, however, is worth living. May you all pursue truth on a daily basis, in this fashion!

Truth, oh truth, you truthful thing,

you are so unbending…

you make me happy, you make me sing…

and you always bring about a happy ending.

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