From a young age and even both at home and at school we have been taught to practice the value of “the truth”, this is part of the basic but essential principles of every family.
We are told that being honest is the right thing to do, that it will give us a good reputation, that it will make us have better relationships and that by applying “the truth” we will do better in life.
So this value is something that we have as a chip incorporated into our behavior, but that we often do automatically.
Before we move on, let’s review various concepts and phrases about truth to understand their origins and definitions.
“Truth is a value linked to honesty that implies the attitude of maintaining truthfulness in words and actions at all times. It is the basic pillar where moral conscience is oriented and includes trust in that society; where we all need each other to truly live. “
The practical truth, according to Aristotle, occurs in man thanks to the fact that a true opinion arises within the soul and simultaneously a right action. The false in the sphere of actions occurs, on the contrary, with the emergence of a false opinion and an unrighteous action.
As for Socrates, the truth is a continuous search, always unfinished.
He argued that the truth will never be reached. In addition, he demanded to be faithful to the definition of things, therefore we must be faithful to this search (Ethics). So, before everything that is presented as true, a critical and analytical attitude must be exercised first, to then propose the true meaning of what is criticized. So, you must not only be content with criticizing but you must offer a meaning and propose of truth.
Socrates and Aristotle have different views on the truth, and each one is the truth “their truth” that represents them. On the contrary, in practice, the truth is about that coherence between what is said and what is done and this is of almost universal application.
That is to say that in the colloquial and known the truth is much more aligned with being honest, outside of philosophizing, so in this sense let’s talk then about the advantages and disadvantages of “telling the truth”:
Telling the truth allows us to:
• Live in harmony with the environment.
• Have a clear conscience.
• Cultivate trusting relationships.
• Project credibility.
• Gain influence.
Now telling the truth in 100% of cases has its disadvantages, because that leads to expressing opinions as they are thought and that can lead to conflicts in society, let’s see the disadvantages of being completely honest:
• You can hurt or offend others even if you express yourself with the greatest possible respect.
• You can alienate people who do not agree with your ideas or statements if you do not clarify that you respect their opposition.
• You can compromise your integrity if the truth you want to express is rejected by the masses.
So a lot of prudence and courage is required in these three cases. Because the truth of each one has a price and you must be willing to pay it. In some cases they generate satisfaction but in other cases of greater social repercussion it can generate persecution.
As we have seen, talking about the truth would cover much more than one article, because there are many theories and variables of what this means.
Therefore, today we really want to promote this value so necessary in these times where it seems that being honest has gone out of style for a large group of this generation.
What we are sure of is that by applying the truth we will be better as a society. Anyway, this topic is open for discussion.
What is your opinion about it and what did you think of this article? Leave us a comment, we will be eager to know and receive your truth with respect.
Anabel Briceño
Brand Advisor and Copywriter for M.O.T.M.V.
