You've heard it said before. Many times. And, in many ways.
"The other side of the coin"
"Two sides of every coin"
"On the flip side"
The "other side"
The meaning of this idiom usually implies that a opposing view exists or that there's another part of the story. But, is that all? Take a moment to think about it. How many sides truly exist on a coin? Now, take a look at the picture above. Does that change your answer? What if you were to look at those coins even more closely? I would submit that you would find, in the words of Lebron, "not one, not two..." but an infinite number of sides!
It all depends on how closely one looks and from what angle. The same goes for personal views, opinions and even truth. An explanation might seem simple and sufficient until more research is done or the the problem is viewed from a different perspective.
A coin might appear completely flat when viewed from 50 feet away. But when viewed under a microscope, the same coin might appear to be covered with mountains and valleys. This phenomenon is the same when considering one person's views and even what we call truth. Outside of that person's experiences or vantage point, what appears simple or unrefined, might actually be complex and detailed when viewed up close. And here's something to consider, that aforementioned coin becomes completely invisible at great enough distances. We witness this when discussing hot button issues like politics, religion, race, and wealth. We stand so far from opposing views that it becomes impossible to see truths that overlap with our world view or schema. It's like an anti Venn diagram.
The purpose of the Venn is to identify commonalities.
Then, there are times that we are so close that we do not see the entire picture -blinded to any view but our own.
Too close and we miss all of the sides that make up the whole and give value. Too far away or turned in the wrong direction and we miss the point all together with a similar result.
This is not a defense of moral relativism or subjective truths. On the contrary, it is a call to approach "views, opinions and facts" from all directions and varying distances in order to acquire absolute truths. This approach should be a way of life not just a causal approach to be adopted whenever it suits our needs.
What do you call a one party democracy?
What's the value of a one-sided $100 dollar bill or a one sided penny?
The same goes for a one sided opinion or viewpoint.
Now there's a penny for your thoughts.
