Thinking of th Tilmann case, let's say your child died in a war. Would you want to know the truth, or is it better just to believe in the official version?
The truth. But your question is a bit odd. Who is the person who 'would' want to know. Do we tell someone there are two versions of their son's death and one is true and the other is better and they can choose which to here. The question is very hard to honestly answer since no one can be in the position to choose. But for me knowing there is bullshit and lies and one more bit of waste in a stupid war is also information. It takes nothing away from my hypothetical son.
I am a big believer in white lies. People can't handle the truth very well, so I say, yes, tell me my son died figting the evil enemy and not because an idiot from his own company shot him in the back...
I agree, people often, perhaps usually can't. All the more reason to want to know it. To have one's bearings. To understand the world, politics, God or the universe, etc. Rather than feeling, however unconsciously, that I have to keep this out of my mind, not really pay attention to body language or contradictions in official statements both private and public. To want anything is else is to invite Big Brother and a cheating wife and a glue sniffing son, or friends who do not really give a shit about you.
What you are advocating is essentially a drug, only it is a drug so commonly addicted to that most people do not know they are addicts. This denial and desire to be lied to soothes and controls emotions and holds away fear.
Same with the Iraq war. It is much nicer to believe that the fallen were spreading freedom and not fighting for big oil's interest.
It's also a world where you see yourself as completely passive as playing no part at all. With this attitude there is absolutely no need for democracy. (and since my eyes are open, is part of the reason we don't really have democracy now). If you don't know the truth you cannot function in a democracy, or a relationship for that matter. You can choose, but your choices are guided. Choosing to stay with the wife who constantly cheats on you is not a choice is you don't know. Choosing to walk around in a daze about what is really going in is not citizenship. Why not have one last election for a dictator, which is perhaps what the majority really want, and get it over with. The dicatator can then tell you that there was a vote now and then and you can nod and believe him, happy as a clam.
P.S.: Most people here will say,yes they want to know the truth, but in reality, they don't....
Sadly, I think you are right.
