# The Lesser of Evils By:: [[Brian Heath]] 2022-12-24 In American politics, we often hear narratives about picking between the lesser of two evils. Neither candidate aligns with our beliefs, so we select the one that will do the least harm or most good, depending upon our outlook on life. However, the policies used to adjudicate the right candidate for us often fall into overly simplified policy statements like for or against abortion, taxes, and affirmative action. Behind the scenes, there are ideological and paradigmatic belief systems that explain a lot more. For example, traditionalists embrace the idea of a singular truth rooted in religious values, modernists embrace scientific truth and individual values, and post-modernists embrace social constructions of reality and truth. Which of these is the lesser evil? The current state is to argue about who has the best view of truth and then draw the battle lines. However, the truth remains elusive and relative to each individual and their journey. So, should we continue to battle over incompatible viewpoints and the lesser evil, or should we aspire for something more? Would it be better for candidates to understand these viewpoints not as good or bad, but as an opportunity towards integration and progress? If politics roughly remain split 50/50, the candidate that sees all sides, how they emerged, and understands how to engage them is the lesser of all evils. #### Related Items [[Politics]] [[Truth]] [[Paradigms]] [[Policies]] [[American]]