Hegel's thesis-antithesis-synthesis triad, in which contradictions are seen as partial truths synthesized in one absolute, non-contradictory whole, paved the way for today's postmodernist thinkers who generally argue that truth is contingent on historical and social context rather than absolute.

I agree that this relativistic epistemology continues to play a significant role in destabilizing our society, and traditional/social media as well as our education system accelerate the spread of such destructive ideas.

Recently, moral psychologist and author Jonathan Haidt gave a brilliant lecture at Duke University entitled Why Universities Must Choose One Telos: Truth or Social Justice. His argument is obviously directed toward academia but, as your case demonstrates, also translates to broader society: We must once again embrace truth as the highest and inviolable good.