"Because the Mind, not being certain of the Truth of that [which] it evidently does not know, but only yielding to the Probability that appears to it, is bound to give up its assent to such Testimony, which, it is satisfied, comes from one who cannot err, and will not deceive. But yet, it still belongs to Reason, to judge of the Truth of its being a Revelation, and of the significance of the Words, wherein it is delivered." - John Locke (1632-1704)
It has recently been brought to my attention - by a lifelong friend and landscape architecture student here at Ball State - that I have shirked my responsibility in conveying things to you that are truly important. Today I'd like to fix that. I want to talk to you about Truth, your relationship with it and what it means to you, the people who will continue to shape this imperfect Union. Some of you haven't heard a grain of Truth in a while, so prepare yourself.
In the above quotation, John Locke tells us not to believe everything we hear or even everything we see that can't be confirmed as Truth by one's own Reasoning. Anyone who's taken an introductory course in philosophy has heard the adage that says we are all philosophers. It's a mantle not assumed by all of us, but it needs to be. The search for Truth is the most important endeavor in a person's life, and in finding Truth, we find a better understanding of all things.
Our society is one kept warm by the blanket of complacency. We're told that we've made leaps and bounds. We're told that this is not an authoritarian nation like the savage monarchies of old. We're told that this is a progressive, enlightened place to live. We're told that suppression and control are things of the past while those who want to spread real Truth are kicked from under the blanket, left out of our sight to freeze outside the walls of acceptability. Some hide the Truth because it keeps their grasp on power tight as a vice. The rest of us are given to Faith in place of Reason.
We are asked to have blind Faith in law, our government and our God. We are lied to, controlled and placated, fed disinformation like starving children - and it's been this way for at least 2,000 years. When leaders of men took a backseat to the church, Truth and Reason took a backseat to Faith, because Truth calls people to action. It threatens power; power that even those with the best intentions covet. That brings us back to something else John Locke said. When our government gets out of hand, we have more than just a right to revolution. It is our Duty - our Responsibility. Locke told us that we confuse Reason and Faith, using Faith to explain that in which we cannot or will not find Truth.
When governments were formed, a war on Truth began. When they made the church official and established a power structure, a war on Truth began. When they decided what messages to send and how you need to view God, a war on Truth began. It is not to say there is no God; it is not to say governments are intrinsically evil; it is not to say that only fools trust others. It is only to say that you must find your own Truth. While people rule the law of Man and religious doctrine, they cannot be trusted in All things at All times.
There is a hidden history to this world. It's your job to explore it, or at least to question what is pushed on you disguised as Truth. Draw lines of distinction between Faith and Reason. Reason for the Truth and place Faith in that.
If you're lucky, your parents and a few close friends will tell you Truths you can believe. Everything else you hear - on the news, at the barber shop, in history books, in church, from the president or from any other human capable of speech - must be met with healthy skepticism.
Some of your teachers lie to you. Your government lies to you. Religion lies to you. Some of your friends and family lie to you. For this Reason, seeking Truth is the responsibility of the individual. That doesn't make it a Bad World. It doesn't make it a Mad World. It's a Better World for you today, because now you know.
Write to John at jrfrees@bsu.edu
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