[lit-ideas] Re: Takiyyah
- From: Omar Kusturica <omarkusto@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 12:35:37 -0800 (PST)
Now, one way to approach this difference between these
two very
different
truth cultures, is to allege that Truth Culture B
entirely lacks any
concept of truthfulness. That anyone who would embrace
that sort of
attitude simply has no idea what truthfulness is, or
why it is
important.
However, another way to approach this difference would
be to
acknowledge
that there are different definitions of the word
"truth." Truth Culture
A
would be embracing what one might term an "objective"
attitude toward
truth, according to which a statement is true(1) if it
"corresponds" to
what actually is the case. That is, it is true(1) to
say that grass is
green if and only if grass actually is green. Truth
Culture B would be
embracing what one might term a "subjective" attitude
toward truth,
according to which one's statements are actions and
one's acts are
true(2)
only when they appropriately further one's interests
or the interests
of
one's group.
*Statements are actions, but they also possess a truth
value that is separate from their practical utility.
All cultures recognize this, and the need to weigh the
truth against utility. Thus, all reasonable people
tell falsehoods under certain circumstances. This
doesn't mean that they lack a concept of truth but
that they don't think they are obliged to say the
truth to anyone under any circumstances whatsoever.
Perhaps the problem is that some among us expect Islam
to be like Christianity, a religion that sets up
impossible moral requirements that nobody in their
right mind would ever follow. (Jesus, too, avoided
giving a direct answer when talking to Irod, but this
is a quibble.) Islam, not unlike Judaism, is a more
practical religion that sets up moral requirements
which might perhaps be expected to be followed by real
people in real life. Admitting of circumstances when
telling a falsehood is permisible seems to me an
example of eminent good sense as well as honesty.
Further, it is a mystery to me how one could even make
such a point if one did not have a concept of truth
and falsehood.
O.K.
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