The truth of the quiet box

For many years as an academic I was very conscious that what we were teaching was generally not the absolute "truth". It was not that we were being dishonest to manipulate or confuse our students - it's just that in some subjects new paradigms emerge and replace what was previously the accepted thinking. A mentor of mine expressed it nicely

"Everything I am going to tell you now is a lie - it's just a useful lie"

If only the folks we meet in business and life could label things this way when applicable it might be helpful. The truth of things is elusive.?I have taken pride - a mistake I know - in my ability to judge others and yet have found myself at times with those that were on a very different path to me.? We look at our politicians and wonder just who we can trust (Not many!)?The news media is always filtered and we are never quite sure who's filters are distoring what we see and hear.

I cant remember where I first saw this story but it has a useful message.

The Master said, "Think about this.?I have here two small wooden boxes of the same size."?Holding up the boxes one at a time he told his students, "Listen. When I knock on this one, a loud sound resonates around the room.? When I knock on this other one, there is hardly any sound at all."

"Now tell me, from our experience of such things, what do we already know about the loud-sounding box?" asked the Master.?The students understood that the box was empty.

"And what do you make of the quiet box?" asked the Master again.?The students recognised that this box was full of something.

Now the Master posed a question.?"Tell me, with human enterprise in mind, do we use the lessons of the wooden boxes?"

A student answered at once, "We certainly do not, Master.?We only take notice of who makes the loudest noise.?We don't pay attention to the quiet one."

A second student spoke up.?"I can see what you are suggesting but in our democracy the majority rules.?What the majority believes is desirable is supported and will grow in influence as a result."

"I agree," replied the Master.?"But keep in mind that the value of an idea or of a belief is not determined by how many people believe it or choose to follow it."

In times gone by the majority may have believed that the world was flat or that the sun moved around the Earth.?The majority idea it didn't make it a fact.