Earlier today, an American podcaster updated an ancient parable previously used to subvert the notion of truth and reason. The first verse of the poem speaks about:

Six men of Indostan. To learning much inclined, Who went to see the Elephant (Though all of them were blind), And each of them had pre-concieved. The creature in his mind.

In the poem each of the six travelers takes hold of a different part of the elephant which matched their own pre-conception of what an elephant was and then describes to the others the confirmation of his own bias.

One of the men grabbed ahold of the elephant’s leg because he believed that Elephants were round and rough like a tree. Another held onto the tusk because he knew in his heart that and elephant was shaped like a spear. A third grabs the tail and insists upon his belief that elephant is like a rope. A fourth grasps the trunk because he had always been taught that an elephant is like a large snake.

Each is describing their own personal bias which they perceive as the truth, because that is what they had always been taught..

And because their understanding of this truth has now been reinforced by a biased assessment of the Elephant,, each insists that he correct and knows what he knows.

The poem concludes:

And so these men of Indostan Disputed loud and long, Each in his own opinion Exceeding stiff and strong, And each was blind to their own bias, And all were in the wrong!

That someone could approach a subject with a preconceived conclusion and ignore all other points of data to support only their bias seems absurd or even unbelievable.

On the other hand, can’t we recognize ourselves in these six blind men? Have we ever been guilty of the same pattern of thought?

We have so many examples of things that mankind once “knew” were true but have since been proven false. For example, in spite of one-time overwhelming consensus, the earth isn’t flat. The stars don’t revolve around the earth. And, of course, man actually can fly—even break the sound barrier.

Often, truth is rejected because it doesn’t appear to be consistent with things we have long been taught and assumed were true without questioning those assumptions.

The thing about truth is that it is establish by questioning and challenging our beliefs to see if they match the data. If our beliefs are proven false, we have the opportunity to discard those erroneous beliefs and come closer to the truth.

We simply don’t know all things—we can’t see everything and many of the things which we may preconceive to be true would be shown to be false if we would simply open our minds to the possibility that we might be wrong.

Because we tend to hold onto our beliefs and ignore contradictory evidence, we have to remember our bias and keep a mind open to new evidence – even and especially if it contradicts dearly held beliefs.

that is because it is dangerous and arrogant to assume that we already possess the complete, correct and incorruptible truth. If we assume that we already have the truth as it was, as it is and as it will be – then we will never be able to correct any of our errors or adapt to new knowledge.

The principles of reason and logic tempered with an understanding of our own biases and a willingness to overcome them offer us the best chance to detect error and pursue the truth.

Now, what is this process?

It is the process of rational thought.

There are charlatans all over the world who will attempt to demonize and distort rationality. They will tell you that since nothing can be known with absolute certainty, then you should doubt your own mind and submit to their decrees for which they claim a divine sanction.

As you accept the responsibility to seek after truth with an open mind and a humble heart, you will understand that you might be wrong about some things. This will enable you to look at evidence and conclusions you might have previously ignored. You may become more tolerant of others, more open to listening, more prepared to understand, more inclined to build up ideas which invite and withstand scrutiny and tear down false notions that beg you not to question or doubt.

You will be more willing to see the truth, if you don’t assume you already have it.

It is my plea that you will seek the truth earnestly and unceasingly, that you will yearn to think critically and remember those biases and fallacies which may distort your perceptions so that you can account for and overcome them.

Even when you think you have found it – keep questioning and searching. The quest never ends.