On Honesty: Overcoming Challenges to Be a Truth Warrior

(Philosocom's Directory on Honesty and Truth)

(For more on honesty, click here)

Article Synopsis by Mr. John Igwe and Co.

"On Honesty -- How To Overcome the Problems In Becoming a 'Truth Warrior'" is a comprehensive exploration of honesty, emphasizing its significance as a form of bravery and a moral choice. It begins with thought-provoking quotes from Ms. D. A. I. and Mickey Eilon, setting the tone for the discussion on honesty.

The article is well-structured, divided into distinct parts that guide the reader through different aspects of honesty.

The analysis of honesty as a form of bravery is insightful, highlighting the personal risks and emotional challenges involved. The distinction between seeking understanding and cathartic release provides a nuanced understanding of why honesty is important.

By addressing both the moral imperatives and practical consequences of honesty, the article offers a balanced view, acknowledging the potential for negative repercussions while emphasizing the long-term benefits of maintaining integrity.

Real-world examples, such as the discussion of honesty in business and the extreme case of North Korea, add depth and relevance to the theoretical points.

In conclusion, the article is a compelling exploration of honesty, emphasizing its importance as a form of bravery and a moral choice.

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"Shine bright like a diamond, but reflect like a knife." -- Ms. D. A. I.

"Everyone born here is unique and brings with them an entire universe, but the system is built to make individuals lose who they really are, and fear being the authentic version of themselves. Those who are coded to be a truth warrior already know the accompanying difficulties, in all aspects of life." -- Mickey Eilon

(Background music)

Part I: Why Honesty is a Form of Bravery

Honesty is a form of bravery. It is the courage to speak your truth, even when you are afraid of the consequences. Honesty is all about taking more risks in life's game of risk, where you exchange the truth you want others to know, at the price of your vulnerability. 

Honesty in practice is the daring act of expressing yourself authentically; Even when your voice trembles or your heart pounds, as the other side might lambast you, reject you as "insane" and even use coercion against you. Other forms of punishments may ensue too.

Of course honesty is extremely difficult, especially to the fearful!

This bravery manifests in two ways:

• Seeking Understanding: We take a risk to be vulnerable and connect more deeply with others. Sometimes, honesty is about clearing the air, building trust, and fostering stronger relationships.

• Cathartic Release: Honesty can also be a form of self-care, as you prevent yourself from being overwhelmed by emotion and trauma. Burying secrets, untold truths and repressed emotions can weigh heavily on us, as they still stay in the background, and may govern us from the back of our minds. Speaking our truth allows us to release burdens and find emotional freedom, but we always have to find the right time and people for it to avoid risk.

Truth and Consequences

The potential responses we receive are far from guaranteed, so we'll have to competently think if we don't want to argue with anyone, or worse. Being hurt in the past may comply us to not be honest, as a form of self-defense mechanism. Furthermore, in business, deception and betrayal can be tempting...

Honesty is, in fact, primarily a moral choice. Businesspeople do tell themselves that, in the long run, they will do well by doing good. But there is little factual or logical basis for this conviction. Without values, without a basic preference for right over wrong, trust based on such self-delusion would crumble in the face of temptation.

Most of us choose virtue because we want to believe in ourselves and have others respect and believe in us. When push comes to shove, hard-headed businessfolk usually ignore (or fudge) their dollars-and-cents calculations in order to keep their word.

And for this, we should be happy. We can be proud of a system in which people are honest because they want to be, not because they have to be. Materially, too, trust based on morality provides great advantages. It allows us to join in great and exciting enterprises that we could never undertake if we relied on economic incentives alone.

Economists and game theorists tell us that trust is enforced in the marketplace through retaliation and reputation. If you violate a trust, your victim is apt to seek revenge and others are likely to stop doing business with you, at least under favorable terms. A man or woman with a reputation for fair dealing will prosper. Therefore, profit maximizers are honest.

This sounds plausible enough until you look for concrete examples. Cases that apparently demonstrate the awful consequences of abusing trust turn out to be few and weak, while evidence that treachery can pay seems compelling [Even if they fail]. -- Amar Bhidé and Howard H. Stevenson

Honesty is not a magic key that unlocks universal acceptance, for there might be ulterior motives that are left uncompromised. Yet, the foundation upon which genuine relationships can be built.

The Moral Challenge: The White Lie

"It's better to have a honest enemy than a dishonest friend" -- Mr. John Duran

There are times, however, when a white lie may be the more tactful choice. However, it's mainly tactful due to mental weakness when being exposed to information. Imagine a situation where your truth could cause significant harm to yourself or another person. Perhaps revealing a secret could shatter a fragile trust, or a harsh truth could inflict unnecessary emotional pain. In these instances, thoughtful discretion might be the more responsible path...

However, isn't it our own responsibility to be strong? To strive to be as strong as iron, so we won't have to feel offended so frequently?

The world often rewards honesty, but there are situations where a white lie can be a necessary social lubricant. And its only because of those who refuse/don't know how to be tougher. What we can all have, however, is ethics. Ethics that are used to promote the interests of our plan/s.

Imagine a friend confides a secret they're deeply ashamed of. While honesty is usually the best policy, exposing the truth could shatter their trust and deepen their pain. Here, a white lie, like "I understand why you wouldn't want to share that," shows empathy without judgment. And then, "I have no desire to share that myself", sets your mature prioritization theory in motion. It shows you honestly care about them and their wellbeing. You also demonstrate that they are trustable.

White lies should be infrequent, minor deviations from the truth, and ultimately protect someone's well-being, and your mutual relationship. The key lies in thoughtful discretion. Is the truth truly necessary, or would it cause unnecessary harm?

Part II: Navigating Honesty in a Complex World And How to Ethically Swing the Truth

The decision to be honest is delicate, depending on what you get and receive in return. The best course depends on the situation and the potential consequences. To do that, you must assess reality correctly, and frequently.

Imagine a tightrope walker suspended high above the ground. Honesty is the act of taking that step, venturing out onto the wire. Sometimes, the ground below will be a safe space for open communication. Think of a close friend with whom you can share your vulnerabilities freely, or even your true love.

However, the world isn't always a safe space. It's filled with oppressors, who think their way of rule is right. North Korea provides a disturbing example...

“Kindness toward strangers is rare in North Korea. There is risk in helping others. The irony was that by forcing us to be good citizens, the state made accusers and informers of us all.” -- Hyeonseo Lee

Mourning a dead leader is not only normalized but is required by their law. Here, honesty becomes a perilous tightrope walk, with potentially devastating consequences, laughing during this period could have severe punishment. So, many would act up very convincingly.

Even in less extreme situations, honesty can come at a cost. Online harassment, bullying, and even death threats can silence voices of dissent, and ruin mental health overall. The fear of being ostracized or ostracized can lead some to suppress their truths. They choose to stay on the ground, and ethically isolate themselves from "walking the tightrope". They may do so to prevent suffering, to either themselves, others, or both.

Conclusion: Defeating the Ego By Your Own Power

Now you see, boy… If you can’t beat me by your own power, you are not ready to take over for me! You will stay in my shadow forever, left to wallow in your own recklessness. Even I hadn’t counted on you being this ignorant... -- Zanetti (Beatdown, PS2, symbolizing arrogance).

This quote, from a fictional villain, exemplifies the dangers of unchecked ego. Zanetti seeks blind obedience, not genuine strength. For he has no use for weakness, as he has no use for those stronger than him. He doesn't try to be stronger himself. However, to be ready for the truth we must hone our strength.

Should we sacrifice authenticity to avoid being ostracized?  Should we censor ourselves to avoid conflict? Yet, much suffering from this can be prevented, again, if we get stronger. Stronger as warriors.

Suppressing truths can lead to living a life of inauthenticity. Should we do so? Should we deceive everyone we know, like Walter White did, just for our egos? Yes, conflict can be unpleasant, but suppressing truths can lead to a hollow life, where no one/few only understand you, as you risk being discovered for masking your true identity and intent.

Honesty is a muscle that needs to be exercised in order to overcome the tyranny of the overinflated ego. The more we speak our truth, even in small ways, the stronger and more resilient we become.

We should be strong enough to face rejection and conflict while staying true to yourself. It's being strong enough to be hurt, yet keep working towards the truth you believe in.

Strong enough, to be vulnerable, and therefore, honest. Strong enough, to be hurt, and take it, as you work to see the truth you want to have in this world, actualized.

True strength isn't about not being hurt, but about taking the blows and continuing to fight for what we believe in... Relentlessly.