As a matter of precedential policy, we have been reluctant to publish our mini-essays, on subjects, regarding which we have previously written. Our explanation is that we have already expressed what we thought was appropriate, and possibly of interest to readers. We have seldom varied from such policy, and have done so, only sparingly, on subjects felt to be warranted by their perceived intrinsic importance, especially where we have seen no progress, in the issue, but rather, a worsening, or exacerbation.
We would suggest that there is an acceptable analogy between our blood stream, which circulates throughout the systemic human anatomy, delivering where needed, nutrients and vital chemistry, on the one hand, and the phenomenon of language, on the other, which serves as the epoxy of societal structure, and facilitates the systemic interactive transmission of information.
In the previous post, we observed the virtue of truth and accuracy, largely from an anthropological – sociological point of view. As societies developed, there evolved a practical dependence upon mutual assistance and joint enterprise, for the improvement of the quality of life and the maintenance of peace and safety. Interdependent members of society relied on the necessary credibility of reports, regarding food and water sources, reports of danger from the elements, or hostile tribes, as a necessary matter of basic survival. In daily cultural interaction, there were social developments for discussion, the transmission of skills, trade, impending marriages, births, religious subjects, deaths and the significant subject of leadership and control. It is inarguable that veracity and accuracy were assumed, and relied upon by reason of necessity, and that such proper exercise of veracity had significant, practical import.
In the modern era, truth and veracity, of course, still retains its eternal moral imperative, despite the manifold differences in specific subject matter (viz., more complex and technological), yet the reliance on the virtue of truth, remains an existential necessity. As an empirical matter, inaccurate, or unreliably false information will, necessarily, at some point, be revealed, as will the lack of dependable reliance, of its errant source.
In this second writing, we would like additionally and specifically, to concentrate on truth and reliance, from a moral, and psychological direction, as opposed to the practical, view. The daily, unprecedented and shocking assault on truth, by none other than, America’s leading role model, its President, was the motivating impetus for this additional comment on the subject. Mr. Trump’s confident, intentional misquotations of data and public polls are delivered with regularity to the public, on broadcast television, together with a smirk and a variety of hand gestures, not the least of which, is a thumbs up signal to his loyal, uninformed, “flat- earth,” poorly educated, base. The intentional, [perhaps, on occasion, simply, ignorant], misstatements are seldom consistent or believable and seem to be impulsively motivated by his self-serving fantasies, or wishes. Mr. Trump has uniquely achieved, our rarely conferred and august diagnosis, of “serial mendacity;” and, apparently, is to be personally credited for exponentially increasing, media fact-checking enterprises, which consistently award him dismally, low scores.
We have often responsibly written, on the subject of man’s life-long, experiential acquisition, of a valued, personal self-image. The solicitude of each of us for the maintenance of our private persona, as one of consistent honesty, rectitude, and deserved reliance, provides the regular impetus for doing the right thing, for our appropriate responses to stimuli, and to the point, for our reliable veracity. Those of us, who aspire to mature and healthy perspectives, value our privately held, moral, persona, when applicably necessary, on a higher plane than, what various others, may arbitrarily, prescribe.
Our present concerns, are not of an impending, general decline in societal virtue, nor consequent effect on properly socialized, mature and sophisticated citizens. It is an odd admixture of confusion and dismay, as to the shameful public persona of an elected American President, and its possible effect upon the public’s future perception of the Office. It is also, a felt embarrassment towards our younger generation, as well as respecting our long time, international friends.
-p.
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