Absolute Truth with a Capital "T"

 

Chapter 4

Absolute TRUTH with a Capital "T" 

The SAL Theory is a championing exponent of the Age of Authenticism. It accedes that both Truth with a capital "T" and Reality with a capital "R" exist outside of human consciousness and inclination, and that we are capable of comprehending what truth and reality are. This great truism carries a corollary existence of a real right and a real wrong, and therefore the real presence of an authentic good and a genuine evil, both of which exist throughout our world and the known Universe.  

An Age of Illusion

The recent postmodern period—and other eras like it throughout human history—have always been ages of illusion. After all, if there really is no absolute truth or reality, then reality itself must be illusory—a figment of our imagined imaginations. Having abandoned the possibility of absolute truth and objective reality altogether, postmodernists no longer seek to understand either. 

Illusions, including skewed perceptions of the self, are among the many problematic consequences of postmodernism—and the human condition in general. 

Relatively few in our generation (or any generation) see themselves as they really are. In fact, postmodernists claim that it is impossible to arrive at a truly objective perception of anything, including ourselves and the world around us. And to an extent, their claim on this point is valid. As imperfect, mortal beings, we do carry an undeniable handicap whereby we tend to see things in an imperfect, myopic, piecemeal, and subjective manner. However, this does not mean that absolute truth and objective reality does not exist; it merely means we often fail to perfectly access and properly perceive it. Nor does it mean we should not try our best to see things as objectively as possible in spite of our obvious perceptual limitations. 

Advocates of the Age of Authenticism are ever in search of the real over the illusory. This is especially true when it comes to self-perception. 

Dr. Stephen R. Covey was no postmodernist. Nevertheless, he appropriately taught that, "We see the world, not as it is, but as we are—or as we are conditioned to see it ... each looking through the unique lens of experience." (1)

While Covey's observation is technically accurate, it is also true that some people see themselves and the world around them more objectively than others. Mankind, therefore, exists along a diverse spectrum of perception whereby some individuals can see, or, more accurately stated: choose to learn to see, things as they really are more accurately and objectively than others.

Self-action leaders strive continually to achieve greater perceptual objectivity in the way they view themselves, other people, and the world-at-large. The higher you rise in your Existential Growth, the more objectively you will be able to see reality, both internally and externally speaking. 

Being certain that one is right—when one is quite wrong—is an enormous problem for many, and ranks among the greatest illusions of all. Such illusions are sometimes fostered by one's parents (or other initial caregivers) and the social environments in which one is reared. They are then further expanded and diversified by one's teachers, peers, popular culture, and self.  If not checked and reoriented, such ignorance and myopia will lead to arrogance and selfishness in a downward spiral to destruction over time. 

If, on the other hand, ignorance and myopia are checked and reoriented, then acquired knowledge and developed farsightedness can lead to enlightenment, selflessness, and Existential Growth over time. Each individual must choose what one will do—or how they will respond to—any acquisition of truth one receives or seeks out in one's life.   

Distortions of Reality afflict us all to varying degrees.

To varying degrees, distortions of reality afflict all of us. While no human being will ever be able to see and comprehend everything in the World and Universe with perfect clarity and objectivity, there is much that each of us can do to increase the accuracy of our own perceptions over time. This quest for objective awareness of self and others is of crucial interest to self-action leaders in search of Existential Growth and freedom.

Because of the dangers that arise from erroneous, subjective perceptions of reality, self-action leaders actually welcome disillusionment, not because it's disappointing and painful in the short-run (which it often is), but because it's illuminating and enlightening in the long-run. It is simply a necessary step to understanding reality and increasing one's range of perceptual objectivity. 

Pursuing the lofty goal of perceptual objectivity is an ambitious and noble goal that produces a variety of personal and professional benefits over time. As M. Scott Peck, M.D. put it: "The more we are adjusted to reality, the better our lives work." (2)

A Great Lie about the Truth

René Descartes
1596-1650

One of postmodernism's biggest contradictions and lies is that there really isn't any objective truth or reality. After all, if there is no absolute truth, how could anything exist, absolutely? And if there is no mind to conceptualize the point, there is no point.

But there are minds to conceive this—so there is a point!

The famous French philosopher, René Descartes punctuated this great truth in his terse and witty truism: cogito, ergo sum, or when translated from Latin to English: I think, therefore I am.

 
"I think, therefore I am."

—René Descartes

The simple fact that we exist and can cogitate (think) ought to be evidence enough of the substance of reality and the existence of absolute truth. Moreover, what value is there in studying or learning anything if there is no standard of absolute truth whereby we might measure it against and thereby gauge its value? 

Isn't the entire purpose of education to distinguish between Right and wrong, Truth and error?

How many universities throughout the world—including Harvard University and the Universities of Berlin and Seoul, to cite just a few prominent examples, employ the Latin term, Veritas, on their campus seals or crests? Why would so many bastions of higher education enshrine this word on their sacred seals if the pursuit thereof is really just an antiquated concept bereft of any erudition or scholarly legitimacy? 

Truth be known, even postmodernists will usually accede the reality of provable scientific laws that govern physical matter and quantum mechanics. But if physical laws exist and are absolute, why would metaphysical laws—including those in the moral and spiritual realm—be capricious; or worse yet, fictional? 

Is the Universe really so arbitrary as to grant dominion over half of its domain to a governing body as mercurial, unreliable, and whimsical as mortal man, who, by the way, continually struggles to perceive objective realities? Moreover, is it not ironic that those who admittedly can't see things as they really are in the first place, apparently possess the erudition and sophistication to tell us the way things really are? Put another way, how can one credibly say anything about anyone or anything unless one starts from the premise that things ultimately are a certain way in a fundamental, ontological sense?  

The SAL Theory advances the notion that human beings are capable—however imperfectly—of objectively perceiving both reality and their place within that reality. The SAL Theory further holds that absolute truth in the form of Universal Laws governs all things in both the physical and metaphysical realm. Just because it's more difficult to see and measure metaphysical realities and verities than it is to see and measure physical realities and verities doesn't mean they don't exist and play a crucial role in our lives. Moreover, those who wish them away for the sake of ideology, philosophy, or natural inclination or personal convenience do so at the peril of long-term consequences over which they have no control. 

Hamlet and his Father's Ghost

The attempted eradication of absolute truth from any and every sector of our lives is to imply that Right and wrong, Good and evil, aren't real, but merely figments of our imagination. In the words of the disillusioned, and perhaps diseased, mind of Hamlet: "There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so." (3) From a strictly moral perspective, such a viewpoint is, of course, complete nonsense—no matter how temporarily expedient. 

The SAL Theory debunks our fictional—yet oh so real—Danish Prince's erroneous conclusion and rewrites it thus: Many things are either good or bad, and we must make our choice! 

SAL Mantra

Many things are either good or bad, and we must make our choice!

To embrace the philosophically and personally convenient credo and conclusion that there is no absolute truth is to allow oneself to be sucked into a black hole of pseudo intellectualism where the light of Truth with a capital "T" is willingly and sometimes diabolically held captive, leading to an endless night of philosophical perplexity and moral darkness. 

Plentiful are the pontifications of postmodernists on the erroneous notion of truth's relativity. Consequently, many people have been unwittingly sucked into this intellectual black hole engendered by a variety of sophisticated arguments in favor of its fallacious features and alluring enticements.

Ironically, those who most vehemently lay claim to the relativity of truth and morality are often among the most ardent advocates of their own decrees and interpretations of the same, which they craftily commandeer and then use to glorify and justify a host of damaging and destructive thoughts, behaviors, and lifestyles. Such persons, pompously perched on the totem poles of tolerance, are often the most intolerant of all—viciously castigating anyone who disagrees with their conveniently constructed half-truths and other human-postured moral "verities."

Thus, the irony of postmodernism and its malevolent milieu is eclipsed only by its hedonism and hypocrisy.

This is, admittedly, a scathing critique of postmodernistic ideology. To justify such a brutal assessment, a clear, compelling, and cogent alternative must be presented to take its place. This chapter answers this call in the form of the SAL Theory's first and most primal law, which clearly, directly, and unapologetically exposes as erroneous the postmodern premise that truth was, is, or ever will be, relative.

LAW 1

Absolute Truth with a capital "T" exists in the form of immutable and

irrevocable Universal Laws. These laws consistently, predictably, and

omnipotently govern both the physical and metaphysical worlds,

including the natural consequences of human decisions.

What is Truth?

For truth to exist, falsity—and the opportunity to purposely and willingly deceive—must likewise exist. 

Why?

Because opposition in all things is what gives all things their meaning. Truth exists because error also exists. Pleasure exists because pain is just as real. Honesty and transparency subsist as perfect contrasts to opacity and deception. Morally upright behavior is possible because morally degenerate actions are just as real an option. Good exists in the Universe because of the concurrent presence of evil, and vice versa, etc.

In addition to the reality of an opposition in all things, truth itself is often animated in paradoxical ways. Hence, we must introduce a vital corollary to Law #1, as follows: Truth often appears paradoxical.

COROLLARY 1.1

Truth often appears paradoxical.

What exactly is meant by this statement: Truth is paradoxical? 

It means that truth is animated by realities that often appear contradictory and counterintuitive on the surface. Isn't it fascinating, for example, that muscle fibers must first be torn down before they can be built up stronger? Yet that is a fundamental truth of strength training. 

And how about the irony that exists in a statement such as: Less is More? Or why is it that if you want to hit a baseball or drive a golf ball as far as you possibly can, you better now "swing too hard"? Similarly, why is "Trying too hard" at anything, be it business or romance, usually a recipe for failure?

Why did Jesus instruct His followers with paradoxical statements such as: The last shall be first, and the first shall be last, (4) or, Whosoever will save his life shall lose it, and whosoever will lose his life shall find it?" (5)

Truth in all of its forms usually plays out in seemingly contradictory or counterintuitive ways. That is why Jesus's concise statements of truth were often packaged in paradoxical statements. What seems at first glance to be a paradox is really just a man-made method of accessing and then articulating the multi-dimensionalities of truth's holistic nature.   

In the New Testament, the apostle Paul preaches peripherally on paradox when he writes, "For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away." (6) In these verses of scripture, Paul tries to help the Corinthians comprehend the fact that a perfect understanding of truth mandates a multi-dimensional perspective, which poses a fundamental challenge to our human minds, which cannot think about, much less conceptualize, more than one image or principle at a time. The best our limited minds can do is associate and then juxtapose paradoxical principles together in a good-faith, back-and-forth effort to comprehend the holism of a given truth as fully as humanly possible. 

M. Scott Peck, M.D., has done some wonderful thinking on the subject of paradox as it relates to truth. 

Consider his insightful words, as follow:

"If no pieces of reality are missing from the picture, if all the dimensions are integrated, you will probably be confronted by a paradox. When you get to the root of things, virtually all truth is paradoxical. ... Reality itself is paradoxical ... while many things in and about life seem simple on the surface, they are often complex—although not always complicated. There is a difference, just as clear as the difference between simplism and simplicity. There is, in fact, a great simplicity to wholeness."

"To understand paradox ultimately means being able to grasp two contradictory concepts in one's mind ... It is certainly a skill of mental acrobatics to be able to juggle opposing ideas in one's mind without automatically negating or rejecting the reality of either idea. But even when the strongest impulse is to want to deny something that one finds hard to digest—such as the fact that evil coexists with good in our world—the ability to understand paradox is necessary in the process of sorting through illusions, half-truths, and outright lies."  (7)

The incisive words of Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., bear repeating here: 

 "I wouldn't give a fig for the simplicity on this side of complexity; 

but I would give my right arm for the simplicity on the far side of complexity." (8)

—Oliver Wendell Holmes

Another paradoxical element of truth is the existence of legitimate "Exceptions to the Rule."

Viewed simply and one-dimensionally, it would seem that absolute truths should apply absolutely in the same way in every situation, without any exceptions. Ironically and paradoxically—but ultimately predictably—this is not the case. Virtually all truths come with exceptions or footnotes.

Exceptions and footnotes do not compromise the law; they situationally harmonize with the law. And there are usually legitimate exceptions to every rule. 

Take, for example, the moral law that forbids the shedding of man's blood. If taken to extremes—postured uncompromisingly in absolutes—this categorical prohibition would leave innocent persons defenseless against the bloodthirsty powers of evil. As a general rule, killing is evil. Good, moral, upright, and reasonable persons, however, will almost universally agree that there are some legitimate exceptions to this rule because of the existence of evil in this world. 

Another example concerns honesty. As a general rule, honesty and transparency are always the best policy, and should be practiced religiously to maintain order and integrity, preserve relationships, and promote widespread prosperity. There are, however, times when the truth may be justifiably bent, evaded, or not fully disclosed in order to catch a crook, meet the demands of an unusual exigency (e.g. when being threatened with violence, etc.), to uphold compassionate mores involving social considerations and tact, and to avoid overwhelming a young student with advanced components of some subjects that are better taught progressively over time (e.g. human reproduction and sex education).

COROLLARY 1.2

Situational exigencies arise that necessitate legitimate

exceptions to virtually every rule of Universal Laws.

A common mistake we make as human beings is to justify certain behaviors or lifestyles on the supposed merits of Corollary 1.2. Doing so can be a grave and costly error. If we are careless in applying this corollary, we risk opening up a Pandora's Box of illegitimate exceptions liable of landing us right back in the postmodernist's playground we were aiming to avoid.

Legitimate exceptions to the rule are neither capricious nor whimsical. They do not exist to satisfy arbitrary human desires or inclinations. While they may technically break elements of the "Letter of the Law," they always harmonize with the "Spirit of the Law." (9) 

To help prevent this error, we introduce another corollary, as follows: 

COROLLARY 1.2.1

Legitimate "Exceptions to the Rule" do not violate Universal Laws. They operate

harmoniously, albeit paradoxically, within multi-dimensionalities of those laws.  

In light of this crucial caveat, how are you to know whether a given "Exception to the Rule" is "Right" and "Good" or wrong and (potentially) evil? The answer to this question lies in another question, as follows: Does the proposed thought, word, deed, ideology, or lifestyle promote the long-term Existential Growth and freedom of you and eveyone who may be affected by your decision? 

If, after diligent study, conscientious observations, and a guileless consultation with your conscience, YOU can honestly answer "YES" to this question, then chances are good you're pursuing a course that's right, and therefore ultimately good. If the answer is "NO" after doing said due diligence, then chances are good you are standing on shaky ground and ought to change course. 

Ralph Waldo Emerson
1803-1882

If you have accessed the best information available, honestly consulted your conscience, and are sincerely and authentically committed to being true to yourself and others, the integrity of your own mind and heart really will prove sacrosanct. As Ralph Waldo Emerson so eloquently put it over 150 years ago: Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind.

"Nothing is at last sacred but the

integrity of your own mind."

—Ralph Waldo Emerson

There are many instances in life when only YOU and your Creator will know if you are being authentic, sincere, and true, or false, fake, and disingenuous. This is why I believe that in the end, we will ultimately be our own truest (and harshest) judges.

SAL Mantra

In the end, we all serve as our own JUDGE.

This is one of many reasons I believe that being anything less than true, sincere, and authentic with both ourselves and others is the only way to be and live. Anything less than the pathway of Self-Action Leadership will lead to pain, misery, and loss. While the pathway of a self-action leader will lead to contentment, peace, and victory. 

Acceding the reality of absolute Truth with a capital "T" is a philosophical game changer in our postmodern world where ideologies of "Anything Goes" have been carefully (albeit carelessly and crassly) cultivated and destructively embraced by too many for too long. This textbook, which champions a new Age of Authenticism flips this fickle philosophy of situational convenience on its head to expose its glaring deficiencies and moral bankruptcy. 

The time has come to acknowledge what always was, what still is, and what forever will be: that TRUTH is REAL and ABSOLUTE, and that Right is right and wrong is wrong and never the twain shall meet. 

SAL Mantra

Right is right and wrong is wrong and never the twain shall meet.

You can choose to accept this reality, or you can choose to reject it; but in the end, the results will be what they will be; and the determining factor will not be—indeed cannot be—your own capricious inclinations or the petty decrees of your own drastically limited existential purview and authority. The determining factor will be the natural consequences that flow from Universal Laws based on what you choose to think about, say, and do over time.  

In Your Journal

• Do you believe that some things are absolutely true and good? Why or why not? And if so, what are some of the things that you believe are absolutely true and good?

• Do you believe that some things are absolutely false and wrong? Why or why not? And if so, what are some of the things that you believe are absolutely true and good?

• Do you believe it matters whether human beings accept the reality of a real Right (good) and wrong (bad) individually and/or collectively?  Why or why not?  

—Dr. JJ

Wednesday, June 5, 2024

Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, USA

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Chapter 3 Notes

1.  Covey, S.R. (1989). The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change. New York, NY: Fireside. Pages 28-29.

2.  Peck, M. S. (1993). Further Along the Road Less Traveled: The Unending Journey Toward Spiritual Growth (The Edited Lectures). New York, NY: Simon and Schuster. Page 76.

3.  Shakespeare, W. The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Act II, Scene II, Lines 268-270.

4.  See Matthew 19:30 and 20:16 (New Testament).

5.  See Matthew 10:39, Mark 8:35, and Luke 9:24 (New Testament).

6.  1 Corinthians 13:9-10 (New Testament).

7.  Peck, M.S. (1993). The Road Less Traveled and Beyond: Spiritual Growth in an Age of Anxiety. New York, NY: Touchstone. Page. 60.

8. This quote appears online in various syntactical forms and attributed to both Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., and Jr. Both father and son were accomplished intellectuals, so either one could have reasonably been its original author. Dr. JJ selected the syntax as quoted in Covey, S.R. (2008). The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness. New York, NY: FreePress. Page 103. Neither Sr., nor Jr. is affixed to the name, suggesting that Covey and/or his researchers were unable to determine exactly which Holmes originally authored this quote. 

9.  Hollywood film director, Cecil B. DeMille, who directed the movie, The Ten Commandments, starring Charlton Heston, once said the following about the Ten Commandments themselves in their role as Spiritual Laws: “We cannot break the Ten Commandments. We can only break ourselves against them—or else, by keeping them, rise through them to the fulness of freedom under God. God means us to be free. With divine daring, he gave us the power of choice.”