Telling the Truth and Conveying a Fact - Essay Example

Truth vs. Fact Telling the truth and conveying a fact are two different things that may or may not provide similar information. Facts can be confirmed and are based on indisputable evidence while truths are based on what the person honestly thinks is true ‘to the best of their recollection.’ Truths may indeed be factual but may not be as well. Knowledge and beliefs are different from each other too, even further apart in definition and meaning than facts are from truths. When someone says “I’m telling you the truth” (and mean it) they are imparting what they believe to be true. Many times this is information is indeed factual based on indisputable, empirical evidence yet other times the ‘truth’ they are telling it is based on what they perceive to be true which is often partially factual or fictitious. The phrases ‘it’s true,’ ‘it’s factual’ and ‘I believe it to be true’ all represent different definitions although in many peoples minds, too many, belief, truth and facts are one in the same. Not understanding the difference creates a distorted perception of life and reality, a condition that impedes the rational thought process affecting those that are influenced by that person, such as their children, and many others when they step into the voting booth. Just because a person believes something to be true doesn’t mean that it is. The most observable and prevalent instance is religious beliefs. When a person has faith, a belief in something intangible, this is a certain indicator that the person has no factual evidence of whatever it is they believe. If they had indisputable evidence they would not need faith or belief. If their car was painted royal blue, no belief system is necessary to know (to have knowledge) that the car is blue. However, people will say ‘I know God to be real, He lives in my heart” – whatever that means. God may be a real entity precisely as holy books describe, a God that made the heavens, earth and all that dwells in it and/or on it but people don’t know this to be factual. This belief may be true for them but it is not a truth in the factual sense. So what, does it matter if people want to believe in something that gives them great comfort? The belief is so intense, so fully integrated with their thought processes; they think that if they want to believe in something strongly enough it is true. Belief becomes fact in their mind. That’s why it matters. As young children we believe what our parents, teachers and other authoritative figures in our lives say is true. At age three Santa Claus and his reindeer are a fact. The evidence lies in brightly colored packages under the tree on Christmas morning and the cheerful white-bearded man at the mall who knows when you’ve been bad or good. Mom and dad were lying as it turns out. They were pretending. Parents also tell their young and impressionable children that God, another entity with Santa Clause type powers, is real. Again, God may be as real as they said but what would have been more accurate would have been for them to tell their children ‘we believe God to be real.’ That does not happen. Children are raised to think what they believe to be true is true and what is true is factual. The children who do not grow up intellectually turn into adults who think the same way. This is a problem for us all. When attempting to engage in an honest discussion involving politics, as has been a hot topic lately, on one side are the people who discern facts from perceived truths and beliefs against those who do not, adults who are intellectual children. These people gain their information from trusted figures just as they did as children and automatically adopt that point of view. They will hold fervently to this position without questioning its validity. In addition, they become emotionally attached to the opinion therefore become defensive when another point of view is offered even when the opposing opinion is evidenced based. Their mind is made up and no logical or factual dissent will sway their conclusions. When this person steps into the voting booth they are blindly furthering someone else’s agenda, a dangerous circumstance for all concerned. Belief is like a virus affecting not only the afflicted person but society as a whole as well. Some have said Hurricane Sandy was a sign from God, that He is expressing displeasure regarding the growing acceptance of homosexual behavior. One person saying that does no real harm; it serves as comic relief for the vast majority. However, because God is supposed to be involved, many others believers fall in line without a thought to the contrary. History is packed with examples just as incredible. The difference between these two groups of people is that one believes, he other thinks in a critical way. Critical thinking involves questioning one’s conclusion, using empirical data and factual evidence in an attempt to prove your suppositions wrong. The more you do this, the closer to the actual truth you will be. The truth for believers is usually fictional but those who diligently insert facts into their thinking process understand more about themselves and the world around them. Unfortunately for all of us too many cannot seem to break away from their childlike perceptions of facts, truths and beliefs, interchanging these very different ideas. The result is social policies based on fantasies rather than realisms. Beliefs are like an anchor holding back progress which is a tragedy. Progress has been good for societies. Advances in law, medicine and technology has made all our lives better but progress comes too slowly, held back by thought processes rooted in what some want to be true rather than what actually is. William Faulkner wrote: “Facts and truth really don’t have much to do with each other” (“Truth vs. Facts”). It is easy to believe that. Works Cited “Truth vs. Facts.” Knowledge is Power. January 9, 2006. Web. 4 Nov. 2012. . Read More