What’s your definition of Truth?

It’s not easy is it?  Truth is just one of those words that leaves us lost in thought when we really try to define it.  It’s one of those words that can mean so many things.  According to Wikipedia the word Truth can mean religion, literature, popular culture, music, newspapers, and several publications.

Truth is a very diverse word.  It’s really the essence of everything.  It’s the essence of life.

Over the past generation, Truth has been a very flexible word when it comes to operating our institutions, our businesses.  From Enron to Bernie Madoff to Tiger Woods, the word Truth had been completely redefined, at least until they got caught.

In today’s world, are we able to operate Truthfully?  I’d like to think so but as I see what’s going on in the world, the economy collapsing around us, the western world mired in economic recession, I wonder if the pressure to succeed is just too great, and if all this pressure is what leads people to redefine their “Truth” when operating their business.

Truth can move people to do noble things and horrible things.  Mother Teresa believed in her convictions, her Truth – her work leading to positive outcomes for people.  Her spirit is an inspiration to millions around the world.  And then there are the dictators who have ruled throughout history who would believe their actions were based on Truth.  Despite being sociopathic morons, people like Henry the VIII, Hitler and Saddam Hussien were righteous in their convictions.  Each believed in his version of Truth.

If Truth is used for the right reasons it’s good.  If people are moved to pursue Truth as a foundation for love, community, and integrity, great things happen.  If truth is used for self-serving reasons, to suit one’s skewed agenda, it can be very, very nasty.  It can lead to arguments, conflicts and even wars.

I have encountered my share of sociopaths, and I can tell you there is nothing more disturbing than looking into the eyes of a drug-addicted thief who is convinced you’re an asshole for firing her from your restaurant because she was on crystal meth while robbing you blind.

Truth is very much a powerful, provocative word.

That’s why I started this blog, to compare our interpretations of this lofty word as we discuss all sorts of business-related topics.  Consider Truth as a guide for our debates as we move along.  I’d like this Blog to be about issues that affect the planet, our nations, and our communities.  I’d like this Blog to be about our lives.  I’d like the topics to be wide ranging.  I’d like them to be as inclusive, global and as objective as possible.

The objective part is a strange one though – the very nature of Truth subjective.  The following explanation of Truth, also found on Wikipedia, illustrates what I mean by that:

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“Truth can have a variety of meanings, such as the state of being in accord with a particular fact or reality, or being in accord with the body of real things, real events or actualities.[1] It can also mean having fidelity to an original or to a standard or ideal. In a common archaic usage it also meant constancy or sincerity in action or character.[1] The direct opposite of truth is “falsehood“, which can correspondingly take logical, factual or ethical meanings.

However, language and words are essentially “tools” by which humans convey information to one another. As such, “truth” must have a beneficial use in order to be retained within language. Since truths are used in planning and prediction (such as scientific truths being used in engineering), the more reliable and trustworthy an idea is, the more useful and potent it becomes for planning and prediction. Those ideas which can be used anywhere and anytime with maximum reliability are generally considered the most powerful and potent truths. Defining this potency and applicability can be looked upon as “criteria”, and the method used to recognize a “truth” is termed a criteria of truth. Since there is no single accepted criteria, they can all be considered “theories“.

Various theories and views of truth continue to be debated among scholars and philosophers. There are differing claims on such questions as what constitutes truth; what things are truthbearers capable of being true or false; how to define and identify truth; the roles that revealed and acquired knowledge play; and whether truth is subjective, relative, objective, or absolute.

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I find this sentence particularly telling:

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“Since there is no single accepted criteria, they can all be considered “theories“.”

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Theories.  Interesting.  Does this mean there is no real definition for Truth?  I hope not.  There’s got to be a definition – one people can rally behind, good people, not the bad ones who steal from you while strapped out on crystal meth, or the bad ones who start wars because of their skewed agenda.

I’ve decided to tackle this subject because I’m sure people will have lots to say about the issues I discuss, mostly because I’m convinced people just have to be able to agree.  But then again, scholars and philosophers can’t even decide if Truth is “subjective, relative, objective, or absolute.”

Hmmmmm.

To me the Truth has many parts.  To me Truth is love, and community, and friends and family, and business success, and happiness and health, and all those things we thought were just cheesy adult-subjects until we became adults.  To me it’s that feeling you get when you know you’re doing the right thing.  When you’re in the right place – when you’re on the right path and nothing or no one can convince you otherwise.

To me truth is when people truly collaborate to achieve a worthy end.  To me truth is democracy, transparent democracy that represents people’s interests.  Sound naïve?  Maybe it is.  Maybe it isn’t though.  Maybe what I’ve created here, the world’s first collaborative media network, OZZ, is the beginning of something truly democratic.  Maybe it provides the means by which people tell their business stories, promote their business goals and debate the very essence of Truth in business.  Maybe these conversations help make the world a better place.  Maybe Truth is the guideline that keeps us all civilized enough to change lives, our communities, our countries, and our planet.  Maybe.

I suspect if you tried, your definition of truth might be completely different from mine.  What Truth are you delivering to the world through your business?  What benefit do you bring people?  Do you work in an industry that helps people change their lives?

Raply to this post in the comment section below.

Again, I suspect it will be different from mine.  My definition is my definition.  If you disagree, tell me.  I wouldn’t be surprised.

After all, Truth is just a theory, isn’t it?

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John Pineau, MCP is the CEO & Founder of OZZ media corp & the OZZ media network

We bring Collective Genius™ to the world.

www.OZZmediacorp.com