Do Truth and Justice Still Exist Today?
What defines what is true and just? Is there still such a thing as right and wrong in our world?
Do these things even matter or has their time past?
It seems that more and more people rationalize bad behavior as a way to achieve their goals. I think this is a dangerous trend.
Examples of how truth and justice are being manipulated
It seems that everyone not only bends the rules to their benefit nowadays, but they turn the whole game upside down to rationalize their position.
For example, terrorist groups and gangs in various parts of the world justify the use of extreme violence to make their statement against those they perceive as their enemies. They convince themselves and others that their actions are pardonable because they are acting on the side of truth.
In other examples, we have seen a governor recently impeached for allegedly trying to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President Obama. We have also witnessed the arrest of Bernard Madoff for an alleged $50 billion ponzi scheme on Wall Street. Do these men even recognize the error of their ways? Do they think what they’ve done is wrong?
Closer to home, it is easy to excuse ourselves, but we often engage in behavior that crosses the line as well.
Ever stole anything or told a lie? Most of us have. However, we rationalize it by telling ourselves, “It ain’t that big of a deal.” But, isn’t it? Where do we draw the line?
Who is right and who is wrong? Who decides? What benchmark do we use to determine what is true and just? Who gets to decide when things have gone too far?
Two enemies to truth and justice
Is there any such thing as black and white anymore or is everything a shade of gray? In our effort to be tolerant and politically correct, have we lost truth and justice?
It seems to me that having standards for moral and ethical behavior, in other words, having a clear definition of what is right and wrong, is essential for a society to remain civilized. However, many seem to subscribe more to relativism.
Relativism – a view that there is no such thing as absolute truth. Truth varies from time to time and situation to situation.
Is it possible to give too much power to the individual? Do we let every person decide for themselves what is right? When taken too far, we allow subjectivism to take over.
Subjectivism – a doctrine that elevates the right of the individual to determine what is right based on what feels good to them without submitting to an outside authority.
Is letting relativism and subjectivism rule really a good idea? It might seem so, if things are going your way, but what if the tide turns against you? Is this a recipe for chaos?
The trend toward fuzzy truth is likely to accelerate
The world continues to become a smaller place. Technology allows us to communicate, travel and transact business around the world continuously. Clashes in cultural differences are going to continue. This makes truth harder to discern.
Ideas travel faster today than ever before. We have already seen several instances where the media has been duped or misled by false stories picked up on the Internet and elsewhere.
As a society, we seem to have a hesitancy to draw the line. We don’t want to offend anyone. It gets tougher everyday to decide what will benefit the most people.
All this compounds the problem of determining what is true and right.
The problem a subjective truth creates
As I see it, it is impossible to arrive at what is fair and just if we cannot agree upon truth. Truth is the foundation for a civilized existence. It is the bedrock that our societies are built upon.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
~ U.S. Declaration of Independence
The Founding Fathers believed certain truths were self-evident. These truths were derived from a source outside ourselves. They believed in a objective third-party that defined truth.
If we can’t agree upon truth, then how can we institute a fair justice system? How do we decide when there is a difference of opinion between opposing parties? Who determines what is fair?
We cannot continue to let relativism and subjectivism define our way. These paths will erode everything we have fought and worked to establish.
Where do you stand? How do you decide what is true?
I’m interested in knowing how you sort out the gray areas. Do you think there is an absolute truth that is universal or do you think every individual has to decide for themselves?
Where do you see all this heading? Are we destined for chaos or will justice ultimately prevail? Whose justice?
How do you decide which side of an issue you are on?
I look forward to reading your comments!
Photo by alexanderdrachmann
We are talking about faith issues when we discuss moral issues. Every faith or religious view tries to answer these questions.
As a Christian, I have an absolute view on true and justice based on my faith in God. I believe justice will come from God based on the return of Jesus Christ.
Jesus said he is the way, the truth and the life and from my spirtual perspective in trying to live a life of faith he is right. Nothing else has provided me with a feeling of peace and contentment like my believe in Jesus.
He came for one reason only, to testify to the truth for all mankind. He said that before they nailed him to a tree. Were he denied deaths sting and overcame all sin for us.
Lets look at the ideals you are discussing relevitism and subjectivism. Have they increased our ability to find truth and to provide justice. I don’t think they have at all. As a matter of fact they have as you stated provided a grey area that have led a lot of people, who think they control life, down the wrong road.
If you study the 12 steps of AA the first step is the believe that life is unmanagable. Second step is finding a God of our understanding to return us to sanity. This is the way out of the grey area.
I know it’s cliche but I decide what is right and what is truth based on WWJD.
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My foundational truth comes from the Bible and my faith in God.
In answer to your question, I think we’re destined for chaos. Creating a world of relativity is like creating a free-for-all.
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@Scott – You obviously have a strong faith and believe in absolute truth. It seems however that those that think like you do or that are willing to express their convictions are dwindling.
@Nicki – It would sure seem that the path we are on leads to chaos as you suggest. I hope that people with strong values like yourself will step up before it is too late.
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!
Hi Jeff, huge topic that is so important in these times. I agree with Nicki that we are headed towards times where this will be ultimately tested.
My thoughts? Yes! There is absolute Universal truth. Yes also, that individuals are deciding for themselves. But it does not negate the fact that Universal truth governs our existence at the highest level. We each have to find our way to the truth and it is a messy process.
Universal truth always wins in the end because God is Just.
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@Monica – I agree that finding the truth is often messy and sometimes very difficult. Sincerely believing something certainly does not make it true. However, many seem to believe it does.
If I don’t believe in a god that specifically willed my creation and/or is involved or concerned with my current life or future death am I precluded from ethics and truths?
Look for truth within yourself and that is where you will find it.
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I don’t believe that we are on a path away from truth or justice. Truth is beyond the control of humans. Some or many might manipulate the truth, but that doesn’t change it’s nature or existence. It simply makes it more difficult to obtain.
Looking back at history, we aren’t in a era of fewer moral values. In fact, people are more willing to help others thru charity and nonprofit organizations than any time in human existence. Yes, there are problems, but they existed 2,000 years ago too. Those who are religious can read their texts, each has stories of equally ‘immoral’ behavior.
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Truth cannot reliably come from anything that has ever told a lie. Build your house on a foundation of sand and you’ll soon learn that you’re only as strong as your foundation.
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Truth would definitely win some day. But to get this truth proved, we have to face a lot of challenges in life. Today, truth and justice only exist to serve the purpose of the individuals involved whether its a politician, business man or a comman man.
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