One of the most important jobs we face in life is distinguishing between what is real and what is not. Discernment between the two ought to be a constant effort. For many of us, of course, it is not.

It is not however, a simple matter of digging deeply enough into an idea or a representation of fact or a story to determine whether it is based in reality or not. Often the lines are blurred, even in our own minds. As I have written here before, I am a big believer in the theory that much of what we know—perhaps most of what we know—is not true.

Much of what we are taught as history never took place or did unfold as represented in the books or stories handed down to us. Much of what we know as science is untrue. Pluto is a planet. Salt is bad for you. Or maybe not. When what is true shifts back and forth over the years, it ought to teach us a bit of humility about the reliability of our “knowledge.”

Many among us are taught to believe in certain things unquestioningly. Faith is considered a virtue. But how much of the picture of our past, present and future that faith paints is actually an accurate depiction of life in this universe of ours.

Even our own memories are suspect. Stories handed down as gospel in families are fabrications or twisted.

Understanding this produces useful intellectual humility.