Be a Lifelong Skeptic
As the editor of this paper, do I know whether the articles I
am choosing here are accurate, worthy enough and represent truth?
Do I know whether their authors are presenting facts or making them
up? Do I have the means to distinguish truth from propaganda?
It
is not possible for anyone who disseminates information on current
happenings to be present on the spot and witness an incident or
accurately measure his or her conclusions with statistical evidence
before presenting them. Most of the time, they reflect their worldviews
and long held beliefs and assumptions.
Just because something appears
in print does not mean that it is authentic or has the honesty of truth or the authority of facts.
One
of the articles which I have presented today says, “Research findings
that are probably wrong cited far more than robust ones, study finds.”
Another article says, “The most famous psychological studies are
often wrong, fraudulent, or outdated. Textbooks need to catch up.”
I believe in these possibilities and probably manipulations one
can use as evidence to draw conclusions or to support one’s assumptions
and arguments. People do it habitually or for some reason. To distinguish
the two approaches is a challenge.
I try my best to present a mix of articles in each issue on various
subjects with an open mind. However, I cannot guarantee their accuracy
or reliability.
I believe that in this age of information overload
no one can guarantee truth and no one can really fact check opinions
and judgments since the same truth, fact or incident can be interpreted
in multiple ways to draw opposing and contradictory conclusions.
Our brains are made to work with maximum efficiency and speed to
ensure our survival in critical times. For the same reason they
are also made to shield us from ourselves and our own troubling
truths.
It is why in many Eastern religions such as Hinduism and
Buddhism a lot of emphasis has been placed on cultivating discriminatory
intelligence, mental stability, detachment and mindfulness to cultivate
discerning wisdom (prajna).
With these four, once can effectively
process information and discern truths to cultivate right knowledge,
right awareness and right understanding.
To anyone who cares to
read this my suggestion is be a lifelong skeptic. Question everything,
even your own decisions, conclusions and assumptions.
However, keep
an open mind because you do not know where and how you may find
truth.
Archives
The Antiquity of
Shaivism
Your Life As a
Hindu
Dealing
With Misinformation About Hinduism
Hinduism in America
One Language policy
in Indian Mileu<
The Future of
Hinduism
Hindus Who
are Critical of Hinduism
Secular Bias Against Hinduism