How To Know If You Are (Or Anyone Is) An Intellectually Honest Person

I’ve always believed that, regardless of our differences, most people value truth. Yet, it’s disheartening to see individuals in my social media circles persistently sharing misinformation, even after being corrected. This behavior challenges the notion of intellectual honesty.​

I’m not talking about differing opinions based on the same facts. I’m talking about those “alternative facts” that misshape our opinions.

The Media Landscape and Misinformation

It’s perplexing that while many distrust mainstream media, they place unwavering trust in right-leaning outlets that have been caught spreading falsehoods.​

· Fox News settled a $787.5 million lawsuit after admitting to knowingly disseminating false election claims.​

·Tucker Carlson even after leaving Fox, continues to push narratives that he knows are misleading or completely false—whether it’s the Jan. 6 insurrection, Putin’s intentions, or manufactured culture war nonsense.

· Some right-wing influencers turned out to have been literally on the payroll of Russian propaganda operations, pushing Kremlin narratives under the guise of “alternative media.”

While MSM isn’t without fault, they typically issue corrections and uphold accountability. Conversely, certain right-leaning outlets have faced legal repercussions for deliberate misinformation.​

Concerning Settlements and Their Implications

Recent developments have added to the confusion. For instance, Meta agreed to pay $25 million to settle a lawsuit filed by President Trump after the company suspended his accounts post-January 6. Similarly, ABC News settled a defamation lawsuit by agreeing to contribute $15 million to Trump’s presidential library. ​

These settlements, driven by fears of backlash or potential violence from certain groups, inadvertently suggest equivalence between MSM and outlets known for misinformation. This false equivalence fuels narratives like “they’re all the same,” undermining genuine journalistic efforts.​

The Chilling Effect of Threats and Intimidation

Alarmingly, some Republican members of Congress have expressed fears for their physical safety, influencing their political stances. Representative Eric Swalwell highlighted that threats to them and their families deter GOP officials from criticizing the president. Such intimidation tactics are reminiscent of strategies used by autocrats to consolidate power, stifling dissent and eroding democratic principles.​

Reflecting on Intellectual Honesty

A few years ago, if asked how many times a news source could mislead before losing credibility, many would likely say, “Not many.” Yet, today, some continue to trust sources with documented histories of deception.

So, I pose these questions:

Are you an intellectually honest person?

Do you genuinely care about the truth?

Or do you only seek information that confirms your existing beliefs, which you must allow, may be shaped by misinformation if you consume conservative media these days.

It is unfortunate, because honest conservative voices are needed and I find them at The Bulwark, The Warning by Steve Schmidt, David Frum, and Rick Wilson at The Lincoln Project. If you’re looking for an honest conservative perspective on the Ukraine War I suggest Ryan McBeth or Professor Darin Gerdes. They can all be found on YouTube.

If you correct yourself and allow your opinions to be changed upon realizing you’re wrong, that’s commendable. But if you persist in spreading falsehoods after being presented with facts, the issue may not be misinformation—it might be you.

In these challenging times, upholding truth and intellectual honesty is more crucial than ever. Let’s strive to be better, for the sake of our discourse and our democracy.