Rhetoric, The Truth Making Machine in Modern Times

Rhetoric is a battle of wills. The winner establishes not only the action to take, but also establishes the "truth". This is a horrible realization. Unbefitting of human beings, yet all the more revealing of who we are. We establish truth through means most far from it. 

Thinking about this dynamic, floods me with the scene of Pontius Pilate at the trial of Jesus. Here too there are wills at play; that of the jewish people, and that of the roman prelature. Pontius Pilate actually found Jesus innoccent. But by then, the will of the Jewish people was set in stone, and marked by violent revolt. Pontius Pilate could not convince the jury to acquit Jesus. The Jewish narrative established Jesus as a criminal. Then Pontius Pilate famously washed his hands of blood. Hence he says to Jesus: 

"what is truth?" 

Was Pontius Pilate being philosophical? In a certain way he was. Pontius Pilate understood that truth as the world knows it, is a battle of wills. Truth for a political figure like Pontius Pilate was something fabricated and controlled. His question was rhetorical almost, like saying truth itself does not exist but only opposing forces. 

In this modern age where truth is so obscure beneath lies and confusion, its almost foolish to speak from a place of reason. It becomes in fact, in more ways than one, the most foolish thing to do; and if you are untrained in rhetoric, unable to defend yourself, you are at the mercy of your prosecutors. This era of deception is exactly why independent platforms are necessary. 

The realization of this dynamic goes far deeper than political spheres, but exists in the domestic scene as well. It is suggestive to the fact that any institution or community has "truth" established by the same dynamic. The cliche of "not fitting in" and "the black sheep" are consequences of rebellion, and the aphorism, "History is written by the victor". These so labeled black sheep choose to go against the status quo. The question is why? Stepping away from Disney tropes, like the Misft or outsider, its always because there's disagreement. 

The important question for us is, how can disagreement be handled without rhetoric dictating truth? By having the inverse relationship; Rhetoric serves truth. This is very contrary to the ways of the common man. He does not accept the truth plainly and simply, he must be conviced, most commonly by the lower faculties such as our emotions. Rhetoric in service of truth seems cold and boring. Whats terrifying to see is that truth even requires us to sacrifice. 

This brings an interesting observation about the Deposit of Faith. If we are adamantly to accept some teachings of the Church, while at the same time shy away from others, then how close are we really to the truth? Our vision of it is actually vieled. We pick and choose what to accept. However, the truth is solid and undividable in which even we must be in service too. Hence the Catholic church states: 

Man tends by nature toward the truth. He is obliged to honor and bear witness to it… [and] adhere to the truth once he comes to know it and direct his whole life in accordance with the demands of truth"(CCC 2467). 

The narrow path is hard to walk and full of thorns. Perhaps these can be ironically comforting words in modern times. God ensures we do not walk this profusion of deception alone, trying to figure out whats wrong and right. The exercise is truly excruciating and an overwheliming burden. No politician, no philosopher, no artist, can carry this burden for you, or solve this existential curse. But the one who can says this: 

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light"(Mathew 11:28-30).