trump is a liar - a defense from Plao - Noble lie
In politics, a noble lie is a myth or untruth, often, but not invariably, of a religious nature, knowingly propagated by an elite to maintain social harmony or to advance an agenda. The noble lie is a concept originated by Plato as described in the Republic.
Nah. Yes, Donald Trump lies to advance his political goals. But there is nothing noble about that. It's insulting, if one thinks about it. Democracy is built on insults, and President Trump is the king of the putdown.
ReplyDelete“The noble lie is a concept originated by Plato as described in the Republic.”
ReplyDeletedaf hayomi
Menachoth 3b
“Now they all [The Gemara, having argued fully upon the suggested answers of Rabbah, Raba and R. Ashi in reconciling the conflicting views of R. Simeon, now proceeds to explain why these three Rabbis cannot agree upon one answer.] do not adopt Rabbah's answer, for [they say], on the contrary, an intention which is manifestly [absurd] the Divine Law declares capable of rendering an offering invalid [For otherwise it may be said that one may vary the services of the sacrifices.].”
I like Rabbah’s view here and Rabbi Simon here who say that one making a stated intention that is manifestly absurd, clearly a lie, such a lie is meaningless. Why? Because anyone witnessing the one making the sacrifice and listening to his lying words would know that that his words are lies and can be discounted/ignored. Where the lie is obvious to all, then no one is fooled. For example he does a particular Menacha offering and says he is doing a different Minacha offering. That’s a lie that people likely see through. Each Menacha offering has distinctive requirements etc. The offering is not pasul as a consequence. A lie that people don’t see through will make the offering pasul. For example, to say the offering is in behalf of Reuven (a lie) when really it’s in behalf of Shimon (the truth).
People see Donald Trump’s twitters etc and understand them properly as Trump intended. Trump is fighting back against the fake press etc. Comey is a real liar/perjurer andnot Trump. The fake press does acrobatics to show that Trump is liar.