Truth’s Advocate is about getting down to the absolute truth. The name is derived from the common phrase “Devil’s Advocate”, which is about presenting a counter-argument and has its origins in the Catholic Church. Someone holding the position of Devil’s Advocate focuses on the negative aspects to argue against the sainthood of a candidate. On the opposite side is “God’s Advocate”, who focuses on the positives and argues for an individual’s sainthood. Playing off of those to create new terminology, Truth’s Advocate takes no dedicated position in any argument and instead advocates for the truth. Sides outside of the truth aren’t taken, and the work isn’t intended to be on the left or right of politics, or to be for any specific issue or against it. It is about looking at the chaos of opinions swirling around, exploring the logic within, and reaching the equilibrium of truth.
Many people take a side based on emotions or their current level of knowledge of a particular subject, and dig their heels in refusing to budge from their position even if presented with evidence. Sometimes the truth is difficult to accept, but it is the truth and it is important. Why is truth important? Getting to the truth can help resolve arguments, and in the case of recording history, it ensures that credit is given where it is due and not to plagiarists or impostors. Some may say that their opinion or feelings “are my truth”. But maybe truth doesn’t belong to anyone, or it is our truth, or simply universal truth.
What is moral and right? Right should be an absolute moral truth that can’t possibly be up for debate. However, many of the big questions still go unanswered and everyone has an opinion about what right means. If no one knows what right really is, but accuses others of being on the wrong side, that’s like the mule calling the donkey an ass (to put a spin on the pot and kettle phrase).
Debates persist for due to three primary reasons. Often there isn’t a lot of evidence and so both sides believe that the current evidence is enough to align with their own belief, and with the independents believing that there needs to be more evidence to make a determination. Another common reason for debate is classification. It can often be difficult to determine the categories in which concepts or ideas should belong. A third reason is that some individuals don’t care about logic or evidence and simply want to carry out their desires or beliefs. This creates a situation where the other side may present a mountain of logic and evidence, but the side to which the evidence is being presented doesn’t want to believe it, ignores it, uses circular logic, states that they simply know their beliefs to be true, or takes only from their belief system reasons for why their actions are good. Some ask “Why do you care so much?” when an individual argues against their position. Some issues have an effect on everyone if a change is accepted. Also, the truth is important.
Your beliefs may be challenged. Think about what is being said by the other party. If you find the logic to be sound, then face the truth and accept it. But if there is additional logic that proves it wrong, then you have looked deeper and found the truth.
“For here we are not afraid to follow truth wherever it may lead, nor to tolerate any error so long as reason is left free to combat it.” — Thomas Jefferson
“Shake off all the fears and servile prejudices under which weak minds are servilely crouched. Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear.” — Thomas Jefferson