Errol Morris: More Lying
There are those who say, Enough already with this philosophical stuff. Get back to stories about photographs. We like stories. But still, readers’ comments to my essay “Seven Lies About Lying” have provided more fodder on the nature of lying and deception. Next time, I promise there will be a story.
Many writers suggested that truth might be “subjective” or “relative.” It is worth taking up each of these claims in its own right. Subjective truth is about individuals. One individual might think truth is one thing; another individual might think it’s something else. “Truth is what I believe it to be.” “The world is how you think it is.” And then there’s the second claim. “Truth is relative.” Relative truth is broader than subjective truth. It purports to consider cross-cultural or historical differences. But when there are too many varieties of truth, the end result is the denial of truth. “There is no truth. Period.” …
