Truth

Truth may be undefinable in any human language, and it may be paradoxical, but it is neither incomprehensible nor sloppily mystical as some cults may want their followers to believe. Within the clearly defined boundaries of each discovered truth, human history is an ever expanding space of understanding more and more of the truth that is, as Einstein pointed out, so mysteriously comprehensible to the human mind. Granted, each step is not the definitive end of the complete and unadulterated truth that is undefinable truth, but it is one step closer, an approximation of the goal to come. Just as Newtonian mechanics is not the final Law as understood by an earlier age, and even Einstein's Theory of Relativity may be superceded by yet undiscovered truth concerning gravity and space-time, each new scientific theory, each new discovered truth, each additional perspective to understand and make sense of the vast and almost incomprehensible universe helps humanity to rise a little higher in the evolutionary scale towards a higher consciousness.

Cultivating a diversity of opinions, of individuality, of perspectives and attempts to understand the truth is not only to protect the right and freedom of individuals, it is also to protect and ensure the health and completeness of the collective of individuals, of society. Only with a diverse set of, often orthogonal, sometimes conflicting, opinions and perspectives that a collective of them can form a more complete picture of the truth. Since, by the limited nature of an isolated individual, and the Godelian nature of truth when expressed in a human language, it is clear that no single individual or single statement can have any claim on truth. The singular word of "truth" is used for multiple purposes, both for completeness, and for consistency, both internally to indicate a lack of contradictions within, and externally to measure its validity as a mirror of objective reality. It is this wide and varied use of the word that causes some confusion. It is clear that within a limited sense of the word, truth is invariant and definite and clear. Arithmatically, and logically, within simple systems, truth is without doubt concise, definitive, and without contradictions. It is when we attempt to encompass a wider sphere that the meaning of the word takes on more shades of truthfulness - to be more complete, more consistent with external reality, causing a Godelian decrease in internal consistency - hence the very common trait of hypocrisy among those who are most insistent on a claim as the holder of the knowledge of truth.

The incomplete nature of individuals makes it necessary to acknowledge our limitation, to seek only consistency in our understanding, both internally to be without contradictions, and externally to be verifiably repeatable, and not to attempt to claim completeness. Humility is a desirable not because it is a virtue. Humility is a virtue because it is necessary as the foundation to lead a life of truth. Only with humility, can we be open to others, to diverse possibilities, to truth yet undiscovered. Only with humility, can we see with fresh eyes the diverse interpretations of the same reality, each equally valid and valuable. Only with humility, can each individual function as a member of a community, and each community as a member of the human family of communities. Yet, paradoxically, while humility is required in relation to others, the opposite is true, when pride is essential in relation to the self. Without a true understanding of one's past, one's progress from nothingness, one cannot feel a meaningful sense of accomplishment, of pride, of confidence, to continue on the longer journey yet to come, to reach for the stars, the higher plane of Truth, undefinable, yet comprehensible.

Christ taught us in the parable of the two guests who arrived to a banquet, that one was proud and haunghty, selecting the most honored seat next to the host, while the other was humble and deprecating, sat in the least honored seat by the door. As more guests arrive, and among whom is a guest more honored by the host than the first two, the host asks the first guest to move, and recognizing the honor of the second guest, who also moved. Christ taught that it is better to be elevated by others, than to claim honor for one self. Humility is not just a virtue, but a necessity when we accept the truth of one's incompleteness, and imperfection. Yet, in a world also not perfect, we are told to be wise as scorpion and harmless as doves, so that while being humble and acknowledging our own limitation, we are also told to discern the truth about others, not to judge, but to know our own place, not necessarily at the bottom, but to not cause harm when we find ourselves there, and trust that in the fullness of time and the completeness of truth, that we will be elevated to our rightful place.