Seeking the truth is perhaps the most aspired objective of the human species. The truth about ourselves, the world we live in, the secrets of the universe, and why (or if) anything even exists at all. It is questions like these that keep us thirsty for more answers. After all, who wouldn't want to answer life's big questions?
All of this seems fine and dandy — but what happens if we actually did know the answers to these questions? What if we could finally answer whether or not our lives have a purpose, or if there is a God? What if you didn't like the answer? Would you still want to know?
Therein lies the diverge between pursuing a path of truth or happiness.
As a student, I myself have faced this conflict. Science curriculum teaches us about the concrete truths of the world, and there is little flexibility for abstract ideas or anything that has not been proven with a scientific method.
Many people, when faced with this conflict, find themselves either trying to cling to a belief that is long rooted within them, or discard it as more evidence is presented to them. In the field of psychology, this internal battle is what's known as cognitive dissonance, where one may possess two contradictory values, attitudes, or beliefs at one time.
This conflict is most present amongst the scientific and religious communities. Many religious individuals reject ideas that science presumes and vice versa. It seems to force us to favor one side over the other. But what if we don't have to choose? Can an individual simultaneously pursue both truth and happiness?
Well, that all depends.
It depends on one's definition of truth. Many advocates of science would argue that pursuing a scientifically-based truth brings them happiness. Likewise, believers of religion would just as quickly proclaim that they are also pursuing the truth.
In essence, there really is no 'right' or 'wrong' way to pursue these paths. It is merely a matter of one's opinions. Thus, one may argue that both the scientific and religious communities are choosing truth and happiness simultaneously. So what does that mean for us?
It means that we don't necessarily have to choose one path over the other. Although the ideas of truth and happiness are distinct, we often pursue them in the same way.
The reality is, our values, attitudes, and beliefs will always be in question, but that doesn't mean that we can't pursue our own versions of truth and happiness. Inevitably — we do.
