Political Worldviews on Reality
The funny thing about debates on political issues is that there are such strong, yet opposing views. How do you know which side is true? Can you know what is true? What is the reality of the situation? The study of true knowledge about something & its limits is known by the fancy term, epistemology. As we’ll see, a lot depends on this often over-looked issue. But it must be important or we wouldn’t take oaths in office or in court.
Democratic View: Knowledge & truth are relative. What may be true to one person or circumstance may not be true for another because of their perspective or situation. Information can be considered or dismissed depending on how one feels about it or finds it useful. Consequently, laws & guiding principles (i.e. The Constitution) are open to interpretation & subject to change.
This view is technically known as relativism. With everything being very fluid, one can use whatever information or meaning they want to their own advantage or to an adversary’s disadvantage. Lying can be a justifiable option. Words or principles are often redefined (i.e. Democrats maintained Obamacare would not have a tax penalty for the uninsured, but the Supreme Court later interpreted it as having tax penalties). The meanings of language in laws can be applied in manners that differ from the original intention (i.e. laws meant to prevent discrimination against gender are now applied to those questioning their biological gender). Long-held beliefs & definitions are often challenged in an effort to bring about change in society.
Republican View: Knowledge & truth are absolute. Something is either true or false; fact or fiction. Consequently, laws & guiding principles (i.e. The Constitution) are transcendent (timeless) & are continually applicable just as they were originally intended (i.e. often discuss original intent of laws or The Constitution).
Words have meaning, so redefining them is disingenuous & deceptive. If a truth is changed, it becomes a lie. If a truth is ignored, it becomes problematic. Truth provides stability to a society & the lack thereof creates instability, confusion & disorder.
Democratic View: Knowledge & truth are relative. What may be true to one person or circumstance may not be true for another because of their perspective or situation. Information can be considered or dismissed depending on how one feels about it or finds it useful. Consequently, laws & guiding principles (i.e. The Constitution) are open to interpretation & subject to change.
This view is technically known as relativism. With everything being very fluid, one can use whatever information or meaning they want to their own advantage or to an adversary’s disadvantage. Lying can be a justifiable option. Words or principles are often redefined (i.e. Democrats maintained Obamacare would not have a tax penalty for the uninsured, but the Supreme Court later interpreted it as having tax penalties). The meanings of language in laws can be applied in manners that differ from the original intention (i.e. laws meant to prevent discrimination against gender are now applied to those questioning their biological gender). Long-held beliefs & definitions are often challenged in an effort to bring about change in society.
Republican View: Knowledge & truth are absolute. Something is either true or false; fact or fiction. Consequently, laws & guiding principles (i.e. The Constitution) are transcendent (timeless) & are continually applicable just as they were originally intended (i.e. often discuss original intent of laws or The Constitution).
Words have meaning, so redefining them is disingenuous & deceptive. If a truth is changed, it becomes a lie. If a truth is ignored, it becomes problematic. Truth provides stability to a society & the lack thereof creates instability, confusion & disorder.