Is TRUTH Still Important?

There was a time when TRUTH was an essential part of our society. Everything we rely on, every bit of information, all scientific principles, our ability to make correct decisions, and our belief in God all depended upon TRUTH.

TRUTH was at the heart of our government and politics. We held TRUTH to be self-evident and believed that our elected leaders had our best interest in mind. We trusted them to make the right decisions and that they would listen to the will of the people. Our Constitution was upheld, and they believed in the rule of law and fairness for all.

Our legal and justice system was based upon this belief, that all men were created equal. Witnesses in trials swore to tell the TRUTH, the whole TRUTH, and nothing but the TRUTH. Evidence was presented, tested, and used to determine the TRUTH.

Media was fair and honest in their reporting, holding our leaders accountable and fairly reporting the TRUTH they worked so hard to reveal. Facts were presented based upon careful investigations. Reporters took great pride in their work and pushed for the TRUTH.

Education was based upon seeking knowledge and wisdom. Science, philosophy, mathematics, design, engineering all worked toward advancements in their fields, pushing limits but maintaining facts. Different thoughts and opinions were permitted but they were not exclusive. Students were challenged to think for themselves and to seek wisdom.

Healthcare championed good health, finding the roots of problems, and not putting profits before people. Breakthroughs were celebrated and competition and collaboration was encouraged.

Housing put great attention on quality, efficiency, and comfort. Rules and regulations were practical with an emphasis on safety. Homeless people, for the most part, choose to be homeless and the American Dream was alive and obtainable.

There are so many levels where we need to question if TRUTH is still relevant and important. The tone here in what I have presented is, I will confess, quite negative. It implies that TRUTH does not still exist in these areas and others. Our lens on the past is much clearer than the one on our future. I truly believe, however, that there is hope and that TRUTH will prevail. In any situation, for any decision that is made, and in every circumstance, there is only one TRUTH. It is either true or it is not.  

TRUTH can be distorted. Lies will prevail. Facts will be ignored. There will always be those among us who will try to get us to not see TRUTH, to get us to believe in something else that feeds their self-interest. Our defense is to simply ask questions. Why is this the way it appears? What is actually happening? Who will benefit from this belief? Continue to ask questions until you are satisfied with the answer, and then ask some more.

Asking questions to uncover the TRUTH is a fundamental aspect of critical thinking and investigative processes. Questions reveal lies and push beyond deceit. Whether you’re conducting an interview, researching a topic, or solving a complex problem, strategic questioning can lead to valuable insights. Here are some strategies to consider (Microsoft Copilot assist):

1. Open-Ended Questions: Begin with open-ended questions that encourage detailed responses. These questions cannot be answered with a simple “yes” or “no.” For example: “Can you describe your experience?” “What factors influenced your decision?”
2. Probing Questions: Use probing questions to delve deeper into a topic. These questions encourage the interviewee to provide more information or clarify their statements. Examples include: “Could you elaborate on that?” “Can you provide an example?”
3. Socratic Questioning: Inspired by Socrates, this method involves asking a series of questions to guide critical thinking. Examples include: “Why do you believe that?” “What evidence supports your claim?”
4. Leading Questions: Be cautious with leading questions, as they can unintentionally bias the respondent. These questions suggest a particular answer. Instead, aim for neutral questions: Avoid: “Don’t you think this solution is the best?” Prefer: “What are the pros and cons of this solution?”
5. Fact-Finding Questions: When seeking specific information, use fact-finding questions. These help establish the groundwork for further exploration: “When did this event occur?” “What data supports this hypothesis?”
6. Follow-Up Questions: After receiving an initial answer, follow up with additional questions to clarify or explore related aspects: “You mentioned X. How does Y fit into this context?” “What other perspectives have you considered?”

 Remember that effective questioning also requires active listening, empathy, and adaptability. By asking thoughtful questions, you can uncover the TRUTH and gain a deeper understanding of any situation.  Help TRUTH prevail!