The Truth Sets Us Free

We often hear the saying, “the truth sets us free.” Its philosophical and religious implications are tremendous.

If you feel life has no meaning, if you’re uncertain why you live or what you should do from birth to death, what drives you?

Many times, we don’t dwell on these thoughts. Without overthinking, we pursue our desires, often equated with a happy life. As long as we’re content, we believe our lives have meaning. The specifics of this happiness vary based on personal values.

Some seek personal contentment. Others work tirelessly for the happiness of loved ones, their community, or the broader world. Happiness can be selfish, selfless, individualistic, collective, ideological, and more.

Our concept of happiness is typically ingrained from the moment we become aware of our existence. We seem to naturally strive in life.

Consider an ant on a wall. It tirelessly goes about its day. Could you ask it about life’s meaning or its truths? Obviously, it won’t respond, but its relentless effort, even if driven by instinct and even if its life is short-lived, is evident.

I often observe my dog and ponder the purpose of her life. She can’t articulate it, but her eyes convey a message. They seem to say her life’s purpose is to be with my family and me. That’s fulfilling for her. She’s content being a cherished pet, offering loyalty and love for years.

Of course, this is my interpretation based on her expressive eyes and behaviors. It could simply be the bond humans have historically shared with dogs. I can’t truly understand all possible perspectives.

Each of us has our own truths that grant a degree of freedom. Like ants and dogs, every creature, including humans, has its own truth. It helps us find purpose, propelling us forward in life.

However, can’t we argue that these subjective truths make all entities, including humans, unfree? An ant isn’t free due to its limited evolutionary potential inherent to its species. The same applies to my dog. Since her birth, her life has been shaped by unforeseen randomness. I adopted her as a puppy, which influenced the trajectory of her life in one way or another. She didn’t get to choose her life’s path. Is she luckier than stray dogs on the streets? I can’t say for sure. Are there fortunate ants and unfortunate ones? Again, I don’t know.

Our lives aren’t much different. Why am I the person I’ve become? Who decided my identity, personality, and physical form in this particular space-time continuum in the vast universe? Why wasn’t I born in the prehistoric or medieval era? Why won’t I be born in a future where humans might achieve interstellar travel? Furthermore, why was I born as a human and not as an ant or the beloved dog resting beside me? It’s beyond my comprehension.

I am unfree in the sense that I am myself and not someone or something else. This applies to everyone and everything. From birth, amidst life’s intricate webs and vast possibilities, we emerge as ourselves. We have no choice but to be ourselves, at least from birth to death in this fleeting moment of the universe.

Can we acknowledge and embrace the fact that we’re not truly free? Sometimes we might refuse this truth. As a result, some individuals might choose to end their lives, thinking it’s an escape from their current existence in this precise moment in space and time. Is it an escape? I can’t be sure.

At times, our firm belief in what we consider as the absolute truth can lead us to become intolerant towards those who disagree. This leads to conflict rooted in religious, ideological, or philosophical truths. Throughout history, such differences in beliefs have resulted in violent confrontations. Both sides may believe their truth liberates them, yet they become imprisoned by mutual intolerance.

Such confrontations are common in our daily lives. Arguments stem from differing beliefs. If both parties are rational, constructive discourse can lead to a unified understanding. The dialectic method was intended for this very purpose. It was believed that rational and logical reasoning could resolve these conflicts.

Fields like the natural sciences have benefited from this approach. Yet, it also shows our inherent ignorance. Do our scientific advancements truly reflect the universe’s reality? We believed so in the past, but new discoveries consistently reveal our past ignorance. This suggests we’re equally ignorant compared to our future selves. Our current understanding of cosmology and quantum mechanics might seem primitive to future generations.

With this in mind, what does it mean to say “the truth sets us free”? Why is this considered accurate?

From religious, ideological, philosophical, or scientific viewpoints, the statement holds true. After earnestly seeking the truth, we reach a profound realization. What changes within us at that moment?

In religious contexts, we often view ourselves from a divine perspective, making us both immensely humble and valuable. We may seem insignificant compared to a higher power, yet we are cherished. This realization, though subjective, feels like an enlightening truth.

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 8:32

Similarly, in ideological, philosophical, and scientific contexts, if a truth makes you truly humble by highlighting past ignorance, it feels liberating. Recognizing this truth ensures we don’t succumb to intolerance, believing our perspective is the only valid one.

The real truth is that true understanding fosters freedom, humility, and selflessness, encouraging kindness over rigid beliefs.