Maria Cuervo
Gold Meritorious Patron
Here are some Hubbard quotes on Truth:
On Acceptable Truth (a truth that gets a desired result)
Hubbard writes:
"never use lies in PR." Further, "Handling truth is a touchy business also. You don’t have to tell everything you know — that would jam the comm line too. Tell an acceptable truth.... PR becomes the technique of communicating an acceptable truth — and which will attain the desirable result." - PR Series 2
On Workable Truth (a truth that is relative, a truth that works)
Hubbard writes:
"When we talk about truth, then, we are talking about something which is just relative to a problem or relative to another truth or relative to another fact within the limits of workability. How workable is it? Well, it has to be as true as it's workable. And that works the other way around. You say, 'How true do you want a datum?'
You want it true enough to be workable. Now, you can say, 'I want this real true, good and true, very true...'
You see, 'true' is exact; you're not supposed to be able to do that in the English language. When you say 'true,' you mean an absolute. Absolutes are unobtainable.
All right, we'll say a real truth. Well, that would be a truth which would fit into the reference of your problem, somewhat on the order of 'This truth is workable to the degree that every time I work it, it works the same way. I use this truth to solve this problem, and every time I use this truth it works the same way. The result is within the reasonable limit of its application to this problem.'" - "Perception of Truth" Lecture, Logics 7-9 & 10-23, 12, Nov. 1952
In the above two citations, the definition of truth being used is tech dictionary definition #2. The tech dictionary I am citing from was printed in 1978 and is the physical copy I used when in the cult. I have no idea how any of the citations are affected by reissue. If anyone has newer copies of these 'definitions' please post them!
In this old copy of the tech dictionary, definition 2 of 'truth' states: "That which works. And that which works most broadly to that which it is applied. (PDC 19)"
Both Acceptable Truth and Workable Truth, as cited above from the Perception of Truth lecture and the PR series, derive from/equate to the definition #2 tech dictionary entry for truth just quoted.
From a 'Scieno' perspective
To conceive of truth as limited to what is acceptable and workable is another way of saying truth is situational, since, after all nothing is really true except whatever is convenient to us right now, according to the interpretation that benefits us at the given moment, according to whoever is the local wonder currently in charge. In the above quote, truth is constructed to get a desired result, according to the situational perspective of whoever is supposed to tell the truth! It has no 'truth' of its own.
On that logic, a pc could decide to withhold things in a session simply because whatever he or she had to say was not acceptable or workable or conducive to progress up the bridge! But of course acceptable truth and workable truth is only the definition allowed for CoS to use. It is only used by CoS in its dealings with 'everybody else'!! This definition allows it to control its followers and the outside spin. It's a one way street sort of thing. We (CoS) can use this definition but no one else is allowed to! Everyone else must give the exact truth. Acceptable truth for CoS. Full truth disclosure from everyone else!
When applied to a follower or to the public, the other tech dictionary definitions of truth are used. This means either definition 1 or 3. Definition 1 states that "Truth is the exact consideration. Truth is the exact time, place, form and event. (PXL, p. 183)" Definition 3 states that truth "by definition - is what is. (Class 8 No. 4)"
CoS does not consider itself to be bound by definitions 1 and 3. But Everyone else must conform to those definitions 1 and 3 first.
From a 'non-Scieno' perspective
As finite beings of course we never see absolute truth. But this does not mean we become cynical and authorize ourselves to intentionally use that natural deficit to our advantage with others (that is, get truth to work for us for our own convenience and personal gain). Truth is just truth. It cannot (or perhaps should not) be 'used' although sometimes it has 'effects', good or bad. To go by definition 2 means we use truth as bait, as a form of trickery to get a result we might not otherwise get. A spiritual movement is supposed to represent best efforts to nurture people's sincere desires and efforts to get beyond the baser instincts and vices in the material world. A church or spiritual group sets a horrible example by not seeking to itself follow the rules it lays down for others.
On Acceptable Truth (a truth that gets a desired result)
Hubbard writes:
"never use lies in PR." Further, "Handling truth is a touchy business also. You don’t have to tell everything you know — that would jam the comm line too. Tell an acceptable truth.... PR becomes the technique of communicating an acceptable truth — and which will attain the desirable result." - PR Series 2
On Workable Truth (a truth that is relative, a truth that works)
Hubbard writes:
"When we talk about truth, then, we are talking about something which is just relative to a problem or relative to another truth or relative to another fact within the limits of workability. How workable is it? Well, it has to be as true as it's workable. And that works the other way around. You say, 'How true do you want a datum?'
You want it true enough to be workable. Now, you can say, 'I want this real true, good and true, very true...'
You see, 'true' is exact; you're not supposed to be able to do that in the English language. When you say 'true,' you mean an absolute. Absolutes are unobtainable.
All right, we'll say a real truth. Well, that would be a truth which would fit into the reference of your problem, somewhat on the order of 'This truth is workable to the degree that every time I work it, it works the same way. I use this truth to solve this problem, and every time I use this truth it works the same way. The result is within the reasonable limit of its application to this problem.'" - "Perception of Truth" Lecture, Logics 7-9 & 10-23, 12, Nov. 1952
In the above two citations, the definition of truth being used is tech dictionary definition #2. The tech dictionary I am citing from was printed in 1978 and is the physical copy I used when in the cult. I have no idea how any of the citations are affected by reissue. If anyone has newer copies of these 'definitions' please post them!
In this old copy of the tech dictionary, definition 2 of 'truth' states: "That which works. And that which works most broadly to that which it is applied. (PDC 19)"
Both Acceptable Truth and Workable Truth, as cited above from the Perception of Truth lecture and the PR series, derive from/equate to the definition #2 tech dictionary entry for truth just quoted.
From a 'Scieno' perspective
To conceive of truth as limited to what is acceptable and workable is another way of saying truth is situational, since, after all nothing is really true except whatever is convenient to us right now, according to the interpretation that benefits us at the given moment, according to whoever is the local wonder currently in charge. In the above quote, truth is constructed to get a desired result, according to the situational perspective of whoever is supposed to tell the truth! It has no 'truth' of its own.
On that logic, a pc could decide to withhold things in a session simply because whatever he or she had to say was not acceptable or workable or conducive to progress up the bridge! But of course acceptable truth and workable truth is only the definition allowed for CoS to use. It is only used by CoS in its dealings with 'everybody else'!! This definition allows it to control its followers and the outside spin. It's a one way street sort of thing. We (CoS) can use this definition but no one else is allowed to! Everyone else must give the exact truth. Acceptable truth for CoS. Full truth disclosure from everyone else!
When applied to a follower or to the public, the other tech dictionary definitions of truth are used. This means either definition 1 or 3. Definition 1 states that "Truth is the exact consideration. Truth is the exact time, place, form and event. (PXL, p. 183)" Definition 3 states that truth "by definition - is what is. (Class 8 No. 4)"
CoS does not consider itself to be bound by definitions 1 and 3. But Everyone else must conform to those definitions 1 and 3 first.
From a 'non-Scieno' perspective
As finite beings of course we never see absolute truth. But this does not mean we become cynical and authorize ourselves to intentionally use that natural deficit to our advantage with others (that is, get truth to work for us for our own convenience and personal gain). Truth is just truth. It cannot (or perhaps should not) be 'used' although sometimes it has 'effects', good or bad. To go by definition 2 means we use truth as bait, as a form of trickery to get a result we might not otherwise get. A spiritual movement is supposed to represent best efforts to nurture people's sincere desires and efforts to get beyond the baser instincts and vices in the material world. A church or spiritual group sets a horrible example by not seeking to itself follow the rules it lays down for others.
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