Veritas, My Ass (Mark Twain*)

“The pleasure we experience in seeing a beautiful cathedral reminds us to admire the church’s architect. How much more should viewing the universe’s infinite variety stir us to praise the Beauty of its Creator. Consider, for a moment, the whole of creation. The splendor of the starry skies, the various flowers in a flower garden, the stately majesty of a cluster of trees, the melodious songs of birds, the variations of creatures in the animal kingdom, the sense and intellectual faculties of a human person, are like so many voices that praise the Beauty of their Author. Words fail us in our effort to describe adequately what the beauty of the universe tells us of the Divine Artist’s Beauty. Does triumphant music come closer to expressing God’s Beauty?”  Bruce Ashford quoting Saint Augustine’s reflection on Psalm 26

Throughout human history, our ancestors have tried to make sense of our being in the universe by focusing on things transcendent.   The basis of this inquiry really led to the formal inquiry which would soon become philosophy and theology - and the basis of the modern university.    It is our concern with these four transcendental values – the Good, the True, the Just, and the Beautiful that have given us the pillars on which to build a more enlightened community.    It is the second Transcendental, Veritas (Truth) that I wish to turn my attention to today.

You cannot walk 10 steps at Harvard University across the Charles without coming upon its logo proudly proclaiming its worthy mission in a single word.   Veritas.   That leap of faith not only is the guiding principle for all who are fortunate to have professional life there, it is the promise that it makes throughout the centuries to continue the proud habits of being concerned with things transcendental.

Veritas – the truth – always seems filled with multiple paradoxes.   In order to base your entire reason for being and professional life on such a belief, one must first accept that We can actually know truth.   That said, we tacitly understand that the most important truths are sometimes unknown and unknowable.   We still try.   The efforts that we put into discovering truth remind us how important they are when we find them.   Harvard was first established because the act of knowing truth (Veritas) is a way of coming to know the mind of our Creator (Harvard was established to allow young farm boys to become ministers). 

Sometimes, we know that we are close to the truth because of a visceral resonance that “moves” us.   It shakes our soul.   It is the sensation that the Nobel Laureate, Romaine Rolland called the sensation of the Oceanic.   This is an altogether different feeling than the savage raw animal emotion we have become all too fond of, like the roar of the crowd at a professional wrestling match.   Here, we are well aware that the whole spectacle is simply an act - a staged falsehood (how ironic that our Education Secretary was once in charge of this spectacle).

When we replace this raw emotion as a fake substitute of the moments that truly move us, we become less human and cease searching for the mind of our Creator.   This is the tragedy that essayist Neil Postman alludes to in his brilliant “Amusing Ourselves to Death” (he also warned us of the same urges in his “End of Education”).

For Christians, our Guide is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (These are all capital to remind us of the transcendental).   We know how difficult these are because the founder of our religion had to suffer and die, largely because he made so many angry by hearing Truths (Veritas) they never wanted to heal.   Veritas is not only difficult to attain but once attained often makes the teller of it a target.   We need to remind ourselves that this Veritas exists outside what the common belief is.   Ask Galileo.   What we think, and whether we like what we hear has no bearing on the Truth of things.  Veritas.

Scientists know that they are getting closer to the truth of things, the mind of the Creator, when they try to prove themselves wrong and have a more difficult time doing so with each attempt.   The reason for these attempts at falsification (and the eyes of keen editors) is to keep scientists from appearing foolish for advocating claims not resonant with the truth.   Just because some can convince a third of her fellows of a false claim, the claim remains false and they remain a fool (or worse, a liar).

When a university capitulates to a fool and does not defend Veritas, it ceases to live up to its centuries old tradition of searching for Truth (as best we can).  No wonder people no longer take universities seriously.   Absent this commitment to single-mindedly fight for Veritas, there is no reason for the university to exist.  There are far less expensive ways to train for a job.

I challenge those inside the university to redouble their commitment to Veritas.  This is why tenure is such a serious and sacred privilege.   Scholars understand that some Truths are so difficult for the masses to accept that those whose life it is to discover these inconvenient and sometimes dangerous Truths can risk personal dangers.   Therefore, if you have been honored by the recognition of tenure, investigate truths dangerous enough to enjoy that Privilege.  And remind all around you why the word is on every building and letterhead.   It is a sacred duty and a protection from those fools who believe they know all and should not be challenged by facts. 

*Mark Twain is the pen name of a well-respected friend of the Higher Education Inquirer