Rahul Sarangal

What does it mean to be “VERACIOUS”?

The term “veracious” refers to someone or something that is truthful, honest, and accurate. It describes a person who consistently tells the truth and is committed to being honest in their actions and words. It is derived from the Latin word “verax,” meaning “truthful” or “truth-telling.”

But what if truth is not a singular, fixed entity but rather a multifaceted concept influenced by various perspectives and narratives. What if different individuals perceive and interpret truth differently, leading to divergent understandings of reality. So then what really is the “truth”?

In a world charged with countless narratives and perspectives, the notion of truth emerges as an intricate web. It is our job to decode the tangled mess and ascertain the concepts that define our own realities.

Therefore, nothing I can write will be free from my bias. Objective or Subjective, Empirical or Pragmatic; Everything is questionable. I just thought it sounded cool.

The “I” and the “Myself”

Constant thinking can encapsulate any of us with relentless distractions, incessant worries, and a perpetual pursuit of the future. At times, one even might consider the following idea: “I am not happy with myself”. Are there two of me? The “I” and the “self” that we are not happy with? Perhaps only one is real.

The ego is the false sense of self, the identification with the mind and the accumulation of past experiences. It thrives on attachment to thoughts, beliefs, and external things, creating a constant cycle of desires, fears, and judgments. The power of now is a potent force that allows us to step out of the shadows of the past and the illusions of the future, inviting us to live fully in the present.

The present moment is a sacred space; it is the only moment that truly exists. The past has slipped away, and the future remains an enigma. Yet we often fail to recognize the profound significance of the now. When we learn to embrace the present, we unlock a gateway to untapped bliss, clarity, and authenticity.

SUBJECTS AND ETHICS OF HUMANENESS

Traditional Western philosophical approaches tend to prioritize the self and individuality over the ethical obligations we have toward others. “I think, therefore I am” concerns on defining the self and leaves no room for the “Other”. Levinas opposes this view and emphasizes the ethical demand of the Other on the self and the responsibility we bear for the well-being and dignity of others.

Humaneness arises from the encounter with the face of the “Other”. The face is not merely a physical aspect of the Other, but it represents a vulnerability, uniqueness, and humanity present only in other “Subjects”. When we encounter the face of the Other, we are called upon by an ethical responsibility that goes beyond our self-interest and individual concerns.

Levinas’s philosophy of humaneness challenges us to look beyond ourselves and our own interests, recognizing the ethical significance of the face-to-face encounter with the Other. By acknowledging and responding to the humanity of others, we can foster a more just, compassionate, and humane world.