Examining Truth

Because I love you all, and in the hopes of fostering better discussion while we are with loved ones this holiday season, let's talk about Big-T truths and Little-T truths. If you study the ancients, please feel free to correct my definitions.

Big-T truth is the idea that if we continue to learn, discuss, share, and listen we will be able to get to truths that are irrefutable. Big-T truth requires discussing things that are uncomfortable, sitting with that discomfort, arguing in ways that are open to new ideas, and continuing the discussion until we understand and acknowledge differences and perspectives.

In my experience, people do not want to find Big-T truth because they would rather keep the peace. People will say, “let’s agree to disagree,” but it is impossible to even approach the truth if we aren’t willing to keep talking and keep listening.

A more common approach is to claim that our favorite little-T truths are big-T truths and that the other person just doesn’t get it. At best, that claim shows up as fear, and at worst it is deeply harmful. To find big-T truth we have to be willing to be wrong a lot. That is deeply difficult for most people. The good news is that it gets easier when we begin to see the value of Little-T truths.

Little-T truths are helpful when trying to form our identity and narrative, or when we are trying to make connections or find people to trust with our hearts. I need to be able to say, “in my experience, this has been true.” It gives me a platform to stand on where I can see what is true for me and how that might not be true for everyone. It is important to acknowledge that most of the truth we claim comes from Little T truths based on our experience.

Maybe this holiday season we can open our hearts a little and acknowledge that the world is a big place, and our vantage point is only one of many valuable vantage points that need to be considered.