By Matthew Hayward
If the truth leads to conclusions that society would deem as uncomfortable or even morally reprehensible, should the pursuit of truth be abandoned because it threatens to shatter our comfortable illusions? Should we instead focus only on what is going right? Is it ethical to disrupt the carefully constructed comfort bubbles of those who choose more insulated paths? Or is the ethical choice to bring light to darkness and truth to falsehoods? I argue that the truth is inherently good, and therefore, it must be sought, regardless of the consequences. This also means challenging the Noble Lie, that societal good can only be maintained through deception, and embracing the courage of intellectual honesty.
As we look around our fractured world, we witness a growing sense of anger, fear, and disillusionment. Societies are splintering into warring factions, each proclaiming, "We are right, and you are wrong." While these divisions are often driven by cultural, political, and economic differences, they are further exacerbated by the inability of individuals to tolerate challenges to their worldview. In a world increasingly disconnected from reality, is it ethical to confront others with the idea that their way of life, or their fears of others, might be based on ignorance? Or, as many argue, should we allow them to remain comfortable in their dissonance?
It is true that some people may be mentally and emotionally ill-equipped to handle having their worldviews shattered. I have seen this firsthand, where the pursuit of truth itself is seen as social deviance—a threat to the stability of both personal and societal beliefs. The label of a "social deviant" is often placed on those who question the official or accepted narratives. Those who go against the grain, those who expose the cracks in society’s carefully constructed façade, are often cast as outcasts. But is intellectual honesty not worth the discomfort it causes?
I’m less concerned with those who can’t handle the truth and more focused on those who prefer to remain insulated from it. These individuals prefer the illusion that their lifestyle is sustainable, even if it requires the moral contortions of cognitive dissonance. There are two major problems with this willful ignorance. First, it is difficult, if not impossible, to avoid the realities of the world—tragedies and injustices permeate the lives of others and, eventually, our own. Suppressing these truths leads to internal repression and cognitive dissonance. Second, if we know that something is wrong, something we would never wish on ourselves or loved ones, and yet we benefit from that injustice and remain silent, we are complicit in that tyranny.
This ethical quandary is deeply rooted in psychological constructs. Deciding whether to challenge others with uncomfortable truths or let them remain in their illusion isn’t a simple choice. People often crave routine and stability, and breaking through these psychological barriers can be difficult and painful. Challenging someone’s foundational beliefs is often seen as socially unacceptable. But does it matter what someone’s initial reaction is if confronting them with truth could lead to long-term benefit? Does it even matter if they benefit? The truth is the truth, regardless of whether people are ready or willing to accept it.
People who choose ignorance are often not making a fully conscious decision. They are victims of their environment, shaped by their upbringing, surroundings, and societal conditioning. In this sense, they are constructivist victims, perpetuating systems of falsehood and deception that extend the suffering of untold millions. They unknowingly participate in a cycle of ignorance that sustains injustice.
The truth and the truth alone shall set us free. With truth come consequences; however, the consequences are dwarfed in comparison to those that continue with living a lie.
The consequences of living in ignorance manifest not only in personal suffering but in the systemic perpetuation of falsehoods that sustain oppression. Take, for example, the event that still reverberates through society—the attacks of September 11, 2001. After careful examination, if we were to come to the belief that elements within our own government may have had knowledge or involvement in the attacks, could we survive that truth as a nation? Would our institutions collapse under the weight of that knowledge? And even if the answers were yes, does that justify not asking the questions? The implications of refusing to seek the truth, especially when it comes to such monumental events, cannot be overstated.
This brings us to a profound moral dilemma: do we do what is right and seek truth and justice, or do we claim that "the ends justify the means", continuing to live in cognitive dissonance? For many, this is not even a conscious choice. They embrace the Noble Lie, believing that the harsh realities are simply not meant for them, that there are those in power making the difficult decisions for the greater good. However, once you become aware of the crime, if you choose to remain silent, you are complicit in it.
Some argue that the U.S. government had to allow—or even orchestrate—9/11 for the sake of maintaining national security. But does this justify the lies, the destruction, and the breeding of hatred and fear? My ideological belief in intellectual honesty, in opposition to the Noble Lie, compels me to continue seeking truth. To do nothing is to merely exist, while standing for truth is to fully live.
The reality is that most people are financially and mentally enslaved, willing to trade liberty for the coliseum of distractions—entertainment and false freedoms. These individuals, consumed by hopelessness, ignore the uncomfortable realities around them. And in doing so, they degrade their own character, gradually becoming more willing to accept whatever feeds their immediate emotional or physical needs. They live in a constructed reality where ignorance offers temporary safety but at a long-term cost to society.
As a society, we must prioritize the pursuit of truth, even when it is difficult or painful. The alternative is to continue living in deception, which ultimately perpetuates suffering and injustice. By seeking truth, we free ourselves from the chains of ignorance and complicity, and in doing so, we create the potential for a more just, aware, and intellectually honest society.
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