Truth or consequences

What is meant by truth or consequences? Well, at one time, this was the title of a game show. The consequences in the game show were fun and humorous. In addition, throughout the centuries philosophers have debated basic truth and consequences concerning life and the universe. In this article, however, we're not interested in either. We're interested in psychological truth and consequences.

For our purposes, psychological truth has to do with meaning and expressions of justice, and is associated with individuals, groups or entire cultures. Of course, psychological truths are relative. So each individual, group or culture expresses different psychological truths. Since collectives, or groups and cultures, are made up of many people, their truth or consequences immediately affect the many people in each collective, not just one person.

Quality of life, security and safety often depend upon psychological truths. For example, a woman who is raped expresses her psychological truth by reporting the atrocity and attempting to regain some degree of dignity, justice and quality of life. Unfortunately, psychological truths are often ignored or distorted by people who are greedy, egotistical and in a position of power.

It is important to understand that egotistical issues (value and belief issues), power issues (psychological power complexes presented in previous articles) and greed (shadow issues or the dark side of a personality) can each be involved in developing or distorting psychological truths and provide us with a psychological base for understanding truth or consequences.

Distortions range from random mistruths to persistent mistruths. Occasionally, we all express mistruths, which most often don't interfere with meaning or justice. These mistruths are self-serving but not necessarily hurtful. Expressions of persistent mistruths or pathological mistruths also are self-serving but more importantly, the distorted truths are actually believed and values are formed by the individual or collective expressing the mistruths, regardless of the consequences-the meanings and injustices that follow.

So, consequences follow from psychological truths. The consequences of non-distorted truths are meaningful and just. Distorted truths produce consequences that range from insignificant or personally hurtful to devastating-life altering meanings and justice for groups and cultures.

When consequences are experienced, often the effects are uncontrollable. For the consequences to be controllable, the mistruths must be revealed and assessed. Of course, the person or collective expressing the distorted truths often attempts to cover-up the distortions for defense or protection purposes.

Although truth or consequences are complicated with respect to individuals, groups and cultures, beginning to be conscious (aware) of these complexities is most critical and important for all of us.