Moral Maxims--21st Century Rewrite

 

The sources contain a section titled "On Falsehood" which discusses the various ways in which people are untrue, both to themselves and to others [R.VI]. This section explores how people adopt false values and behaviors, often due to self-deception, vanity, or the pursuit of advantage. Here is a summary of the key points in this reflection:
 
Examples of Falsehood: The text provides several examples: 
 
Universality of Falsehood: The text suggests that some degree of falseness is common to almost everyone because people’s qualities and tastes are “uncertain and confused” [R.VI]. This means that individuals often do not perceive things as they truly are, and they may over- or undervalue them, leading to a disconnect between their internal state and their outward behavior [R.VI].
 
Sources of Falsehood:
 

• Self-Deception: People often deceive themselves and “never see themselves as they really are” [R.VI]. This self-deception is a fundamental aspect of falseness.
• Uncertainty of Qualities and Tastes: Because people's qualities and tastes are not fixed, they may not always match the situation or their own condition [R.VI]. This can cause them to act or believe in ways that do not align with reality.
•  
• Self-Love: Self-love plays a significant role, as it is "flattered by all that presents itself to us under the guise of good" [R.VI]. This means that people are inclined to embrace things that enhance their self-image, even if those things are not genuinely good for them or for others.
•  
• Custom and Advantage: People often follow trends or adopt behaviors simply because others are doing so, without considering whether those behaviors are appropriate for them. They may also embrace "good" behaviors based on the advantage they can gain, rather than on a genuine adherence to truth [R.VI].
  

False Taste vs False Mind: The text suggests that people are more concerned about showing falseness in their taste than in their mind [R.VI]. The text distinguishes between these two: 
 

• False taste is when people adopt values or behaviors that don't truly suit them, and they do it for the sake of “following others” or appearing to fit in [R.VI]. It implies a lack of individual judgment and a reliance on external validation.
• False mind is a more fundamental kind of falseness, where people have an incorrect understanding of themselves or of the world around them [R.VI]. This can lead to flawed reasoning and incorrect assessments.
  

The Role of Reason and Good Sense: The text implies that "reason and good sense" should be the tools people use to assess things and form their tastes [R.VI]. These are the faculties that can distinguish between what is truly valuable and what is merely appealing for superficial or self-serving reasons.
 
A magistrate who believes himself to be brave and acts rashly is exhibiting a form of falseness [R.VI]. His role requires him to be firm in the face of injustice, but not in the form of a duel, which would be both false and absurd [R.VI].
 
A woman who embraces certain sciences that are unsuitable for her is also exhibiting falseness because these do not fit her social role [R.VI]. This example illustrates that not all “goods” are suitable for everyone and that appropriateness is a necessary aspect of truth.

Truth as a Standard: The reflections emphasize that people should "show what they were" and "judge matters by their lights" in order to avoid falseness [R.VI]. This approach suggests that authenticity and honesty, rather than the adoption of externally-imposed values, should guide people. According to the text, following truth leads to a “discernment in their views” and in their sentiments [R.VI].
Overall, the section "On Falsehood" presents a critical view of human behavior, highlighting the many ways in which people are untrue, both to themselves and to others. The text suggests that self-deception, the desire to fit in, and the pursuit of personal advantage often lead people to adopt false values and behaviors. However, the reflections also imply that people should rely on their reason and good sense to evaluate things, allowing them to be true to themselves. This emphasis on authenticity and honesty serves as a standard against which the pervasive falseness of human conduct is measured.