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This week's editorial

Editor Joan Ritchie's editorial from this week's issue of The Moose Jaw Express
Editorial_JoanRitchie
Editorial by Joan Ritchie

As a sponge for information, there are certain statements made that give food for thought and examination and when they pertain to human nature and the psychology of such, my inquisitive vein is sparked.    

One such one I heard or read lately questions, “What is truth?”  The statement states: “There is no truth anymore, but everyone’s ‘own’ truth.”  

Personally, I find this statement rather erroneous. However, I do understand that personal perceptions can vary. Should this be construed as ‘truth’?

The world is so screwy these days, no one knows what’s right anymore; people seem to base their truths (connoting the idea that truth can change) on their emotions rather than on what is actually right.    

Has humanity lost their conscience and moral compass?  

In a book, Just Babies: The Origins of Good and Evil, groundbreaking studies by psychologists found that babies are born with an innate moral sense even before learned behaviour, showing a basic disposition for goodness.  

“In each of us,” wrote poet Robert Louis Stevenson, “two natures are at war — the good and the evil. All our lives the fight goes on between them, and one of them must conquer. But in our own hands lies the power to choose — what we want most to be we are.”   

Because of the two natures (good and evil) at war, I assume that speaking one’s own truth can distort the reality of what is actually truth or not. But after taking some time to examine the word ‘truth’ itself, I find that it is much more complicated that that, based on various complex criteria and standards.   

Although my personal idea of 'truth' is based on fact not feeling, I am slightly perplexed now after confusing myself with more information. And so goes the dilemma, ‘What is truth?’ 

Interestingly enough, while I have been contemplating the context of the matter, our philosopher-columnist Marc Legare has written an article in this edition that speaks to opinions. After reading it, I find it rolls down a very similar path to a fairly similar conclusion.  

It seems to me that speaking one’s own opinion somewhat resembles speaking one’s own truth.  

I guess, for a multitude of population that has a rather discombobulated opinion on everything taking their liberties to speak their own  truths, this further confuses the issue.  

And I reiterate Legare’s final comments stating, “But that is just my opinion…”

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.  

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