Situational Truth? Humbug! (+ Law-Related Icons)

Posted on January 5, 2010 by Leslie Sigal Javorek | Leave a comment

Posted by: Leslie Sigal Javorek • Date: Tue Jan. 5, 2010 9:15 pm

I was once told (by a lawyer, no less) that there is no such thing as the truth but rather that “truth” is always “situational”. That attorney was by no means alone in that opinion and perhaps may even be in the majority with that view but I have to respectfully and vehemently disagree. I personally believe that those who advocate “situational truth” and “situational ethics” are confusing truth and ethics with what are merely artificially narrow points of view stubbornly clung to as self-justification for thoughts, beliefs, and/or actions which they realize, consciously or unconsciously, would fail under objective scrutiny. To such proponents, truth is a collection of facts and pseudo-facts arranged in a manner to produce that which conveniently relieves them of moral and/or actual liability for the consequences of their choices.

My criticism of “Situational Truth” does not mean that I fail to recognize that everyone views events from their personal frame of reference and that more than one view can often and even simultaneously be valid. Nor does it mean that I see life in terms of black and white without any shades of gray. The problem, as I see it, arises when someone places validation of their internal emotional needs as the final arbiter of what is “true” regardless of any objective analysis of irrefutable – but external – hard facts and evidence. To me, truth is truth whether we like it or not. Shades of gray only apply to and only exist when we have competing interests to consider when deciding how we want to think and act in response to the truth. While there are times when there is no one “right” answer and times when there isn’t even any “good” answer, denying the existence of the truth is never a valid option.

Seems like I’m in pretty good company on this issue, as the following quotes attest to. What are your thoughts?

“The truth is incontrovertible, malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end; there it is.”
– Winston Churchill (British Orator, Author and Prime Minister during World War II. 1874-1965).

“Fraud and falsehood only dread examination. Truth invites it.”
– Samuel Johnson (English Poet, Critic and Writer. 1709-1784).

“It is not the oath that makes us believe the man, but the man the oath”
– Aeschylus (Ancient Greek Dramatist and Playwright known as the founder of Greek tragedy, 525 BC-456 BC).

“Truth is like the sun. You can shut it out for a time, but it ain’t goin’ away.”
– Elvis Presley (American Singer and Actor widely known as the “King of Rock and Roll”, 1935-1977).

“If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end; if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin, and in the end, despair.”
– C.S. Lewis (British Scholar and Novelist. 1898-1963).

“It’s no wonder that truth is stranger than fiction. Fiction has to make sense.”
– Mark Twain (American Humorist, Writer and Lecturer. 1835-1910).

“Remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible but in the end, they always fall — think of it, ALWAYS.”
– Mahatma Gandhi (Indian Philosopher, internationally esteemed for his doctrine of nonviolent protest, 1869-1948).

And now, for tonight’s freebie clip-art and icons, a few more to serve the legal community’s needs. Enjoy!

Free Icons of the Day

The following images are either full or reduced size previews. Simply right-click (or control-click) on the preview to save the full-sized image file to your desktop. Each image is 512px X 512px in .png format unless otherwise indicated in caption below image.

Justice (download size is 600 x396 px - useful for banners & headers)

False Pride, Foolish Lies & Mermaids Cries

Posted on December 27, 2009 by Leslie Sigal Javorek | 1 Comment

Posted by: Leslie Sigal Javorek • Date: Sun Dec 27, 2009 6:15 pm

The endurance of the legend of mermaids (one of the earliest known reference to mermaids was recorded around 800 B.C. in Homer’s epic, the Odyssey) is perhaps the most apt analogy to human’s capacity to stubbornly maintain beliefs and claims that suit their fancy and purposes despite the overwhelming facts and evidence against them. While many of us may have thought of mermaids as merely a fanciful fairy tale to lull a child to sleep, history records a long-held belief of the actual existence of these beautiful, voluptuous maidens with their luminescent scales and tails like fish that frolic in the ocean depths and lure many an unwary sailor to his doom.

“The day before, when the Admiral was going to the Rio del Oro, he said he saw three mermaids who came quite high out of the water but were not as pretty as they are depicted, for somehow in the face they look like men. He said that he saw some in Guinea on the coast of Manegueta.”
– From Diary of Christopher Columbus, Jan. 9, 1493

Had Homer and Columbus been aware of the scientific truths which eliminate even the slightest chance of the possibility of an actual mermaid species, would that have altered their fears or observations? As I am not familiar enough with the personalities and character of these men, I cannot say for certain, yet based upon an abundance of sociological and psychological research by others more knowledgeable than I (such as this, that & this one) it is quite likely that one of those men would have clung to their claims for dear life.

I am not talking here about religious faith or about optimistic beliefs in the face of all odds, as those I believe are an entirely different animal altogether and as such, topics for separate discussion. No, what I am getting at here is my being confounded by those who take such extreme positions that are not merely in conflict with every known fact and scrap of evidence, but which are often about events or details that would otherwise have little consequence in the vast tapestry of their lives. What kind of ego consciously chooses to insist, with a poker face, on the veracity of their statements even after they’ve been laid bare before all as vicious twists and lies? Whom do such people expect to believe them and on what basis do they portend others should accept their precarious views as truth? I am completely befuddled by such people, as I can see no purpose to their madness. To me, it is like a drowning man who insists he stands on dry land and thus refuses to take the hand of one who would raise him from the ocean to relative safety. While G-d himself warned against the evil of false-pride over five-thousands years ago and while self-preservation may be considered the most basic instinct of all living creatures going at least as far back as the dinosaurs, the fact is that dinosaurs are extinct. Apparently, this is still a lesson some people never learn.

Me? I prefer to keep life simple. Thus, the tale of beautiful, graceful ladies of the sea keeping our lonely sailors company remains a delightful prelude to sleep.

Free Desktop Picture of the Day

The following image is a reduced size preview. Simply right-click (or control-click) on the preview to save the full-sized image file to your desktop.

Desktop Aquarium with Mermaid -1920x1200

‘Nuevo Deco’ Toolbar

Posted on December 1, 2009 by Leslie Sigal Javorek | Leave a comment

Posted by: Leslie Sigal Javorek • Date: Tue Dec 1, 2009 4:00 pm

Just got off the phone with my friend Jane after, as usual with her, having had a very interesting, thought-provoking conversation. Never know where discussions with her will lead to but know they will never be boring. Janie flits from one topic to another but her segues always seem natural, her enthusiasm infectious, her wide-range of interests and knowledge mind-blowing, and she always leaves me feeling appreciated, wanted, valuable, loved, and even understood. What more can anyone else want from a friend? Only the ability to impart the same and know it has made a positive difference in the life of my friend that lasts longer than the length of our calls or visits. But life just doesn’t work that way and we rarely, if ever, get to know whether we had any affect at all on others, on the world, much less whether we had the affect we intended. I guess that’s why they say “Character is what you do when you think no one is looking”. You’ve just got to do what you believe is right or at least what you honestly and objectively believe is best under the given situation and have faith that it will all add up in the end to being a life both worthy and worthwhile.

Apropos, if you haven’t yet read (or at least seen the movie) of Mitch Albom‘s book “The Five People You Meet in Heaven”, it’s a gem that deserves your time. It is nothing what you might expect, even if you’re already familiar with any of Albom’s other books (“Tuesdays with Morrie”, “For One More Day”, “With a Little Faith”). Through very simple language and ordinary characters, Albom elicits the most profound observations about people, life, and what really matters after all has been said and done. Remarkably, he never resorts to preaching any particular philosophy or religion, never hits you over the head, never gives in to using common metaphors or over-used phrases that could lessen the emotional impact of his story. Enough said.

So now, from the tools of life to the toolbar of your Finder or other application windows. (How’s that for a transition? 😉 ) This afternoon I’m issuing Part 2 of my 10-part ‘Nuevo Deco’ icon series. Enjoy!

Free Icons of the Day

The following images are reduced size previews. Simply right-click (or control-click) on the preview to save a zipped file to your desktop that contains all images in each preview group (each image is 512px X 512px in .png format) or, in the case of the individual icons, do your clicking on each one you’d like to download.