My truth may not be yours

Spectrum, by Art Carney

The earth rotates around the sun in a counterclockwise direction when seen from above, while it appears to rotate clockwise when seen from below, but from a side view the sun seems to go back and forth. This example of human perception illustrates that the truth of one person can really be true, even though it is different from the truth of others, and that while the actual truth will always be true, our perception of it may only be accurate at a particular place or time. In other words, the ultimate truth is beyond the range of human comprehension, and even though our knowledge and understanding continues to expand, the validity of our beliefs will continue to be somewhat ambiguous because we are always subject to a limited point of view.

While we human beings need to have a "truth" that gives meaning and purpose to our life, we also need the fellowship and cooperation of others if we are to earn a living, raise a family and participate in the community. Our cultural institutions and activities enable us to satisfy most of our needs, but because of our individual perspective and circumstances, we all see the "truth" differently, which makes it difficult to form really close relationships. For the sake of convenience, we merge our beliefs and values into the philosophies of religious or political groups, and that makes it easier to establish friendships with others of like mind. Although some groups limit their membership and are unavailable to many people, most of us find groups that are capable of fulfilling our needs.

While it is all well and good to associate with people whose general beliefs are based on the truths that come from a common point of view, troubles occur when we try to change the deeply held beliefs of others. For the most part, our basic cultural and religious beliefs are rigid, uncompromising, and unlikely to ever change in a significant manner. But even so, many people rise above the group mentality and see that different personal beliefs are as valid to others as ours are to us, and to these broader minded people, it is evident that being tolerant of the beliefs of other is better than trying to change them.

The practice of tolerance helps us to understand that there is some truth in all religious and philosophical concepts, and sometimes tolerance even makes it possible to realize that our own most cherished beliefs may need to be reassessed of expanded. For instance, some aspects of socialism, such as universal health care, may come to be seen as a possible solution for certain failings of capitalism, or we may see that the major differences between Christians and Muslims are found in the rituals, rather than in their spiritual aspirations. When we truly see the essential character and nature of different issues and ideas, our mind expands and our personal humanity is increased.

From the broader point of view that comes from the practice of tolerance, it can be seen that the diversity of life-forms in the natural world provides the raw material that evolves into the beauty, order and progress of life. In like manner, the practice of tolerance enables us to see that it is the diversity of our beliefs and ideas that provides the different ways and means to achieve a better quality of human life. This broader point of view also reveals that natural evolution leaves behind a long trail of adaptations that have outgrown their usefulness, and that in like manner, we humans can eliminate our obvious flaws.

While human culture is generally enhanced by politics and religion, it is also hindered somewhat by certain group attitudes that border on intolerance or discrimination, however, it is possible for reflective people to broaden their own beliefs and attitudes and take responsibility for their own emotional and intellectual development. In the same way that evolution automatically contributes to the progress of life, our individual use of reason automatically contributes to the progress of mankind. In a sense, the use of reason does for mankind, what evolution does for life.

Art Carney is a Wasilla

resident.