 Difficulties arise in seeing what we really are as a species because the lie is labeled as "Truth."  But one of the two in our species has been minimized, rendered null, and considered insignificant in developing speech, reason, and knowledge. Only one is "the developer" of speech, reason, and knowledge. The aims and attitudes in achieving dominance inflict harm on every individual and the whole species in the form of contradictions, lies, and irrationality through language by embedding these in symbols and names, hiding many facts and truths. When lies are believed as "Truth," they are called "knowledge," hiding also the harm done to general knowledge. The lies and irrationality embedded in speech are accepted as valid and used to civilize the species for "law and order." Language unknowingly becomes a weapon to civilize and keep law and order. Embedding lies in language hides facts and truths about our species, limits knowledge, and even diminishes intelligence. And because there is no other choice, language as it is must be shared and used by everyone.
| |
 Lies shrouded as "Truth" are passed off as knowledge. Since lies about our species are all we have to work with-as Truth, they hide facts and many truths. We are led to believe the lies are "Truth" to the point where there is no difference between truth and lies. For example, instead of having "apple" and "fig," if we had only the name apfig to work with, we would believe that the apfig exists. Our belief in the Truth of apfig, then, is knowledge. To us, the apple is a fig, not a fruit. We lose the ability to tell the difference between belief and knowledge. This weakens our ability to think and reason. One could say we are brainwashed. When the apple is specific as fig, fig (as fruit) is now also general. If fig is both specific and general in category, these lose their distinctions in our mind. The lies embedded in language caused by the dominance of male over fe-male confuse us. 
The lies about our species in language impose this same harm, and more, on the intelligence of our species. The lies are valid because there is no choice in names: Irrationality, like apfig, is as valid as rationality, apple. The terrorizing consequences: confusion, violence, war, prostitution, pornography, crime, and more.
We do not call an apple an apfig. Purchase this book |
|
 In An Inconvenient Lie Louise Gouëffic shows how dominance is won by embedding it in names, words, symbols, and titles. Force and violence through language is a nasty, self-justifying circle, naming one member dominant and justifying the dominance in the same name. That is, "the head of the circle swallows the tail of the circle," proving that dominance is "the way it is." Once we know this is being done, we can begin to undo the harm done to our selves and the species. The author shows that the purpose of language is to establish knowledge, not to perpetuate lies. Purchase this book  
As we move toward a globally defined species, we find ourselves waist deep in the language of dominance, the system of patriarchy. The species is not advancing in eliminating violence, war, prostitution, pornography, and crime. Patriarchy's language validates these. The author believes language based on what is real can make a meaningful difference in how the species sees itself. She also believes that rational language provides every one of us the means to a truer identity and more dignity because it is rational. Moreover, rational language is moral language. The greatest benefits in An Inconvenient Lie are knowledge, self-knowledge, vision, empathy, and wisdom. Knowing why, how, and what is causing so much conflict in our species will unveil the lies and reveal the truths. The mission of An Inconvenient Lie is to reveal as many truths as possible to eliminate the lies that have been perpetuated by the dominance of the male "species." Knowledge and belief are NOT the same thing. Purchase this book |