When people deny the existence of truth, there are a number of negative consequences. One of the negative consequences has to do with having reality work against you.
I read this simple truth in a book by a pop philosopher, many years ago, and I have come to see that it is correct: If you deny reality, reality will work against you. By the way, when I write about denying reality, I’m also suggesting that this is equivalent to denying truth because truth is that which corresponds with reality.
As a real, simple, illustration of the importance of acknowledging reality or having reality work against you, think of someone who has an addiction. What’s the first step in dealing constructively with an addiction? Yes, that’s right, admitting it. Good answer.
We have to begin by admitting that we have an addiction. When we make that admission, what are we doing? We could simply call that: facing the reality of my situation. If we admit reality and call it what it is, now, we have entered a place where we have a chance to begin a helping and healing process. We can begin to deal constructively with this, now, because we are acknowledging reality.
But what happens if we don’t face reality?
If a person—who’s addicted—says, “I don’t have a problem! I wish everyone would get off my back. All these nosey, busybodies just need to leave me alone. I’m fine.”
What happens?
That person denies reality. Does reality, then, change? No, of course not. Reality doesn’t change. Reality never changes because we deny it; it just continues to work against the person.
Truth is fundamental, it could be thought of as a first principle. Because it’s one of those foundational principles that have to be in place, first, so that other principles can be understood. Philosophy professor, J. Budziszewski says, “The consequences of denying first principles are cumulative and inescapable.”
If we deny a first principle, like truth, the consequences will be cumulative. In other words, they will continue to accumulate on us. And, ultimately, we will be unable to escape the consequences. This is part of the reason why everyone—even the most ardent denier of truth—knows that he has to live life as if there is such a thing as truth.
You can deny the existence of truth, and argue passionately against the truth day in and day out, and come up with brilliant philosophical arguments to prove that truth is unknowable, but when the doctor comes with lab results of the biopsy that they did on your tumor, we all know that the truth matters, don’t we? Suddenly, the staunchest relativist wants to know: “What’s the truth, doctor?”
If you deny the truth, you are denying reality, and if you deny reality, it will work against you.
Dan Marler
First Church of God
Oak Lawn, IL
www.VisitUsOnline.org
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