CRUMBLING LIVES, LEADERS and TRUTH: Failing FOUNDATIONS are Everywhere
The FOUNDATION of Ethical Intelligence is TRUTH. You Cannot Build an Ethically Intelligent Life on a Foundation of Lies, Deceit and Subterfuge.
Enlightenment is a destructive process. It has nothing to do with becoming better or being happier. Enlightenment is the crumbling away of untruth. It's seeing through the façade of pretense. It's the complete eradication of everything we imagined to be true. — Adyashanti
When they call the roll in the Senate, the Senators do not know whether to answer 'Present' or 'Not Guilty'. — Theodore Roosevelt
The fall of Empire, gentlemen, is a massive thing, however, and not easily fought. It is dictated by a rising bureaucracy, a receding initiative, a freezing of caste, a damming of curiosity—a hundred other factors. It has been going on, as I have said, for centuries, and it is too majestic and massive a movement to stop. — Isaac Asimov
You only corrupt to escape correctness and truth. — Kangoma Kindembo
About this article
This week, again with trepidation, I am bringing current events into our discussion of ethical intelligence and its foundation – truth. Ideas and concepts are wonderful to behold, but if they are not grounded in the realities of human lived experience, most of us care little about them. So, this week we are going to have another direct application of ethical intelligence to our current societal circumstances. In the end, I hope you see the relevance.
Crumbling foundations lead to collapse
In today's world, many believe they are witnessing long-held, and even sacred, institutions collapsing before their eyes. Many of these institutions are governmental like the FBI, Department of Justice, and the CIA. Our disrespect and mistrust of these governmental institutions comes about because we have realized they are not founded on truth, as we all once believed.
At one time, the FBI, often regarded as the top law enforcement organization in the country, was held in high esteem based on a presumption of truth telling. We have learned, however, that agents within the organization have not only lied in order to wrongly convict people but also lied to the public. Lies lead to mistrust, and we are witnessing the collapse of, what we thought was, a pillar of our society. Crumbling foundations lead to disastrous consequences.
Crumbling foundations lead to crumbling people
Have you ever felt like the woman in the photo? If we are honest with ourselves and have led a full life, many have felt like our lives were crumbling before our eyes. Firm foundations help us avoid this condition. Basing your life on truth helps build that firm foundation.
An ethically intelligent life is a life based on truth as its solid foundation. When we stop speaking lies to ourselves and others and demand the truth from those around us, especially public leaders, it is only then that foundations become rock solid and the societal crumbling that we see can be reversed. It starts with us!!
New weekly feature
Beginning next week, I am introduce a new feature of this newsletter. It is called This Week’s Exemplar. Each week we will introduce a person whose life exemplified an ethically intelligent life.
Next week, we will begin with someone we all know, George Washington, Founding Father and first President of the United States of America. As you read about this great man, I hope you develop the same love and admiration as I gained while researching his life.
Next week, we will complete our discussion of truth and how it forms the foundation of ethical intelligence. Remember, you cannot lie and be ethically intelligent.
Until then, Shalom!
Portions of this post were taken from my book Ethical Intelligence: The Foundation of Leadership.
February 3, 2022, Volume 2, Issue 5