Almost everyone agrees that our society is more divided than it has been since the Civil War. Liberals and conservatives believe the worst of one another. As a result, they are prepared to crush folks they perceive as mortal enemies.
In my book Social Individualism,I argued that the way out of this conundrum is to recognize that both liberalism and conservatism are no longer adequate to bind us together. We therefore need a new way of looking at our shared situation.
Meanwhile, in his work Species, Yuval Noah Harari explains that larger societies require communal stories to maintain their integrity. Without having a common language in which to share these narratives, people who do not know each other personally could not work together smoothly.
Harari further explains that this language must be capable of describing things that are not physically present. This, however, also makes it possible to depict that which does not exist. In other words, linguistic forms of communication enable us to both construct and disseminate myths.
Herein lies a profound difficulty. If, as I propose, we need to be responsible individuals who can make decisions that have implications for others, we must be realists. We cannot be taken in by myths that lead us down dead ends. As much as we may desire such comforting fables, uncritically believing in them all could have dire consequences.
Unfortunately, we are living in the midst of a blizzard of myths. This verbal tempest is sometimes described as constituting an information age. Thus, more than ever, we are surrounded by stories that purport to portray reality. Sadly, the media have become so technologically sophisticated that a myriad of false narratives are now available at our fingertips.
Politicians of all sorts have taken advantage of this development. They routinely disseminate fictions that promote their agendas. Whether they are running for office or endorsing legislation that serves their careers, the question they ask is not what is true, but what might seem true.
Consider what is happening at our southern border. Republicans describe it as a crisis, to which the Democrats reply that it is a manufactured crisis. The word “manufactured” is interesting in that it suddenly appeared on the lips of multiple politicians. It was, in this sense, itself manufactured.
Those who adopted this language did not do so from direct observations they had made about what was occurring on the border. They instead procured it from other politicians with whom they agreed. Not realism, but political expediency was the motive of all concerned.
This, however, is not the best way to deal with the facts as they are. It does not even support checking on the facts. What it entails is espousing a group myth so as to provide political solidarity.
The same occurred with regard to the Mueller investigation. While it was at its peak, neither Republicans nor Democrats cared about whether its inquiries would be accurate. What mattered was whether the results would be in accord with their partisan interests.
Members of the media followed suit in that they pandered to audiences that wanted their side vindicated. Accordingly absurd rhetoric flooded the airwaves. The goal in this was not truth, but attracting like-minded viewers.
Nonetheless, this cannot be the way we operate if we are to remain a viable society. Ordinary Americans have to regard the truth as superior to fantasies. If they are to make judgments that are to their—and their fellow countrymen’s—advantage, they need to worry about the consequences of playing let’s pretend.
Nowadays people do not even listen to those with opposing opinions. This is no way to separate the wheat from the chafe. When we close our minds to different ways of looking at the world, we also close our minds to learning.
The same applies to our educational system. Ideological purity rather than objective scholarship has taken pride of place. Many of the young are more concerned with saving the world than with discovering how it operates. Because they believe they already know the facts, they do not deign to examine them.
John Adams told us that facts are stubborn things. Reality is indeed reality. Nonetheless, it may not easily make itself known. Regrettably, myths are frequently less demanding to swallow than are painful truths. Even so, we must value the latter over the former. If we do not, instead of using words to bind us together, they will tear us apart.
Melvyn L. Fein, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus
Kennesaw State University
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