Truth as a Way of Communicating
This essay, taken with permission from the book Let's Talk About Truth (Ave Maria Press, 2020) examines truthfulness in communication, distinguishing between having a mind aligned with reality and having words aligned with one's thoughts. Drawing on Thomas Aquinas, it argues that truthful communication is essential for community and communion, requiring alignment between inner thoughts and spoken words. The author, Ann Garrido, explores the balance between sharing appropriately (neither too much nor too little) and communicating with charity. Key topics include when lying might be justifiable, the problem of hypocrisy as misalignment between words and actions, and the Christian obligation to advocate for truthfulness in society. The essay emphasizes that truthful communication, guided by justice and love, enables genuine relationship-building and societal functioning.
