Our readings this week discussed a lot about perceptions of truth and the ability relationships and rhetoric to change these perceptions. For purposes of argument, I'm going to focus on the Brummett article.
One of Brummett's arguments against mechanism is the idea that observations can be done without bias. He argues that in science, laws of nature are "ways of representing what is observed and are not nature itself." He also argues that observation cannot done be done without bias. And because of this, different scientists may observe the same event in nature but may end up with results.
This is true in everyday life. I want to direct you to the Jim Carrey movie, Liar Liar. http://youtu.be/RDN7IP31Bu4 Follow the link and skip ahead to 7:18. In the movie, Jim Carrey's character is being compelled by a birthday wish made by his son that he cannot tell a lie. As his secretary is about to leave him because of some hurtful truths he told, she asks him about a particular case.
Both Greta and Mr. Reed (Jim Carrey) agree that justice was not served in this case. But it becomes clear Mr. Reed's idea of justice is not the same as Greta's. While Reed is focused on winning cases at the highest amount, Greta is concerned with a much more moral aspect. In this situation, both observed justice wasn't served and yet, because of their different biases, they were in favor of ruling for different parties.
It's interesting here to not that just because Reed can't tell a lie, he is not compelled to tell the "ultimate truth." He still says justice wasn't served and that the "bad guy" should have won more money. Reed speaks what he considers to be true, even if most of us would consider his form of truth to be wrong.
Brummett also argues that reality is meaning that is discovered through communication and that through this communication our perceptions of reality can change. In Liar Liar, when Reed discovers it's his son's birthday wish that has caused him to be unable to lie, he tries to get Max to unwish it. http://www.wingclips.com/movie-clips/liar-liar/grown-ups-lie?play=1 He tries convincing his son that adults have to lie, and that he needs to be able to lie in order to keep his job. Max, however, is unable to undo the wish. Reed presses again that everyone lies, even his mom. Max says, "But you are the only one who makes me feel bad."
It is through this communication that some meaning is discovered for Reed and his reality starts to change. He later admits to his ex that he's a bad father for not being there for Max when he should, something that he hadn't realized before. Even though the truth of him being a bad father may have existed since the beginning of the film, it didn't come into reality for Reed until his conversation with Max.
A large portion of Brummett's article is focused on the argument that it is rhetoric that changes realities and lets us discover different truths. Originally, I was going to argue that situations, where only observations are made, can also change realities. For example, at the end of Liar Liar, Reed wins the court case by proving Mrs. Cole was underage when she got married. He even goes so far to say "and the truth will set you free!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jQP0Y2T2OQ
At first, Reed seems pleased at having won. But when Mrs. Cole decides to fight for sole custody of her children because of the money, Reed begins to question himself. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xky4er_custody-over-the-kids_shortfilms
As he watches Mrs. Cole drag the children away from their father, Reed approaches the judge to suggest that the ruling was wrong. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xky4e2_being-put-in-jail_shortfilms He goes so far as to state, "just because you bought it, doesn't mean I'm right." This set another interesting perspective on "ultimate truth." According to law, the court had to rule in Mrs. Cole's favor, but Reed is suggesting another decision could have came about.
The argument I was going to put forward is that Reed's change of heart does not occur through a conversation but through observation of Mr. and Mrs. Cole's interaction with their children. However, upon further thought, I think it can be argued had Reed viewed this scene at the beginning of the movie, he would not have reacted as strongly to it.
It is his conversations with Max and Greta that has changed his reality. He is realizing how much he cares for his son, how little he's been there for him, and his perception of right and wrong is becoming more "noble." It is these conversations that changed Reed's reality that in turn changed his observation bias. He is no longer concerned about winning the case or making partner. He wants to do what is right. And it is rhetoric that has changed that.
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