Lets Talk Insights: Truth Without Context Is Nonsense

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Truth Without Context Is Nonsense

Posted: 25 May 2008 11:44 AM CDT

Any truth about a reality is valid only in a given context. In all other contexts it is not likely to make any sense.There

may be many different truths to explain any reality. Each truth makes

sense in a particular context, but is normally nonsense in other

contexts. Despite all good intentions, we often have serious

disagreements regarding reality with others in our personal and

professional life. Each person in the disagreement feels that he/she is

saying the correct thing (truth), whereas others are talking nonsense.

It is important to understand that it is possible that most people in

the disagreement are actually speaking the truth; however their truths

make sense in different contexts.This

insight became very clear to me recently while playing with my 23 month

old toddler. One of her favorite toys is " Piglet " (of Winnie the Pooh

fame). It is a stuffed toy made up of soft pink fur. She used to call

it " Piggie " till a few days back, however nowadays she is very confused

about what it is. We told her it is 'Pink', while trying to teach her

colors; we told her it is 'fur' while trying to make her familiar with

textures; we told her it is " Piglet " , while she was watching " Winnie

The Pooh' cartoon; we told her it is a stuffed toy; and we also told

her that it is soft and cute.Each of this is true about her

'Piggie " , however if she points at her " Piggie " , and asks me what it is

without any context, I am at loss of what to say. It is so many

different things depending upon the context. It is a Pig, it is the

cartoon character Piglet, it is a toy, it is a stuffed toy, it is pink,

it is soft and cute, it is fur, etc.Most of us adults deal with

far more complex realities than what my toddler is dealing with.

Therefore whenever in disagreement, it is very important to try and

understand the context in which each person is talking. Most

disagreements would disappear if (a) you could step in the other

person's shoes and see their context, and ( take efforts to make sure

that others see your context.Related PostsThe Truth About TruthYour Point Of View Is Yours

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