The Truth of Motive, the Truth of Word, the Truth of Action, the Truth of Fact in the Context of Social and Communication Interaction

Abstract

The paper studies the truth as a social communication category of journalism. It explains the multidimensional and multicomponent nature of truth as a metaphysical phenomenon, identifies such forms of its existence as «truth of motive», «truth of word», «truth of action» and «truth of fact». Based on the preliminary results of the study, the paper aims to determine the nature and interconnection of the forms of truth and to show their interdependence on the example of a real situation of social  interaction. The object of the study is truth as a concept and phenomenon; the subject is its nature, essence, forms of existence and manifestation in social-communication interaction in journalism. In the previous stages of the study, the essential features and characteristics of truth were identified, the boundary between truth and varieties of «own truth», «being truth-centered and self-centered» was revealed, the ideal model of truth was created and the mechanism of action of truth and its multidimensional character was described. An important research source of the study was the social communication discourse of the Bible and examination of truth in it. This article presents definitions of «truth of motive», «truth of word», «truth of action» and «truth of fact», outlines the transcendental and immanent dimensions of the forms of truth, and suggests the criteria for determining truth in social-communication interaction. From these theoretical standpoints, the paper analyzes a deliberate mal-information of the professional media by an official source, such as the Office of the President of Ukraine (August 2019) and the corresponding reflections of the journalist community. The scandalous situation, at the heart of which is the problem of truth, revealed the role of all kinds of lies and manipulations that cause social, psycho-emotional outbursts and destruction. The paper states that if these socio-political outbursts (the «truth of the fact») go unnoticed against the background of the socially destructive effects of lies, the «explosions» (in various manifestations) will continue and become increasingly destructive. The paper concludes that it is impossible to reveal the truth without conscious understanding of its nature, essential features (which form the basis of criteria), forms of existence and mechanism of action. It insists that these factors are decisive in social communication and journalist activity, since they lead to quality interaction with sources of information as well as its quality verification and broadcasting.