I know that you are wise. When you hear a true story, there is a part of you that responds to it regardless of art, regardless of evidence…You believe that the story is true, because you responded to it from that sense of truth deep within you. But that sense of truth does not respond to a story's factuality...{rather} to a story's causality - whether it faithfully shows the way the universe functions.
In Orson Scott Card's "Xenocide," the author explores the deep connection between truth and storytelling. He suggests that when individuals encounter a genuine narrative, they instinctively resonate with it, independent of its artistic merit or factual accuracy. This connection reflects an intrinsic understanding of truth that exists beyond mere empirical evidence, allowing readers to feel the authenticity of a story.
Card emphasizes that this profound sense of truth is not derived from the facts presented but rather from how well a story captures the underlying principles and causality of existence. The narrative's ability to mirror the workings of the universe is what truly engages the reader's deeper sense of reality, revealing a more profound understanding of the world around them.
