Becoming part of the solution

6 Minute read / listen :

True facts, morality, reality etc. how do we differentiate them?  These seemingly whimsical words invite us to explore a profound question that often goes unexamined: the nature of truth and the way we perceive and understand it. The notion that we often accept information as true without experiencing it ourselves highlights a fundamental flaw in human cognition. Here we will  delve into the concept of truth, emphasising the importance of scepticism and probabilistic thinking.

As individuals committed to open-minded thinking, we should continuously remain receptive to reevaluating our beliefs. Remember that if something is not based on our own direct experience, it may not be our truth. It raises the critical point that when we accept information from others, it is not necessarily the truth, but rather a belief. This distinction becomes increasingly significant when we consider the source of information and the intent behind it.

One of the key reasons why the truth remains elusive is the interpretative nature of human communication as we never truly receive the source of information or the intent behind it. What we receive is our interpretation of the information. This interpretation is influenced by our own language, vocabulary, and experiences.

The game of “Chinese whispers” serves as a succinct illustration of how the interpretative nature of human communication leads to the distortion of information. In this game, a message whispered from person to person rarely retains its original form, resembling a distorted version of the initial statement by the end. Each participant interprets and conveys the message based on their individual understanding, vocabulary, and experiences. This highlights the significant role of personal interpretation in communication, as what we receive is often our own subjective interpretation of the information, underlining the challenges in accurately transmitting and receiving messages in human interaction.

The challenge of accurately conveying one’s experiences and understanding through language becomes evident. When individuals try to communicate their experiences, be it through spoken or written words, they must translate their understanding into language. However, this translation is never 100% accurate. It is shaped by the limitations of vocabulary, personal interpretation, and the inherent complexity of soft, subjective aspects of experience.

In this context,  what we are emphasising here is  the uncertainty that underlies the act of gathering information from others. When we accept someone else’s understanding as our truth, we do so without a complete understanding of their perspective. We are bound to interpret their words based on our own understanding, which may not align with the speaker’s intent.

To navigate this sea of uncertainty a sceptical approach is advocated. A closed-minded individual may accept or reject information solely based on its alignment with their existing beliefs. This approach oversimplifies complex matters and may lead to confirmation bias. Open-minded scepticism, on the other hand, encourages us to critically assess information, question our own beliefs, and explore alternative viewpoints.

Even when an experience is personal we should be careful to come to hasty conclusions. It highlights that personal experiences, while valid, do not necessarily equate to universal truths. A simple example is the idea that eating and apple a day maintains health. While one may believe it is true based on their repeated experiences, this does not amount to a definitive truth. Our understanding should always remain open to revision in light of new information or circumstances.

As we have discussed before  the world is uncertain, and we must learn to live gracefully with this uncertainty. The pursuit of truth is an ongoing process, and facts are merely beliefs backed by evidence. The idea that certain truths are unchanging and universal is a flawed one. Instead, we should embrace the probabilistic nature of truth and accept that our understanding is always subject to refinement and revision. By adopting an open-minded and sceptical approach, we can navigate the complex landscape of truth and belief, ensuring that our quest for understanding remains a dynamic and evolving journey.

Written by Stephen Griffin & ChatGPT