Truth is what works.

"Truth is what works." These words from William James, a pioneering philosopher and psychologist, cut to the heart of a deeply pragmatic view of truth. James, often regarded as a father of pragmatism, rejected the notion that truth must always be something abstract or eternal, a static idea waiting to be uncovered. Instead, he posited that truth is what works in our lives—what leads to action, progress, and practical success. This view aligns truth with utility, understanding that what is true is not necessarily defined by an objective, fixed reality but by its ability to help us navigate the complexities of life. Truth, according to James, is not something to merely contemplate in the abstract; it is something to be tested, experienced, and applied.

In the ancient world, Socrates too sought a kind of truth grounded in the practical and lived experience of human beings. His method—which involved questioning, dialogue, and examination—was not about finding immutable, unchanging facts. Rather, it was about finding truths that were useful for understanding the human condition. Socrates would question people not to defeat them, but to uncover the practical wisdom hidden beneath their assumptions. Just as James argues, Socrates knew that truth was not merely about accumulating knowledge, but about discovering the deeper realities that made life meaningful and purposeful.

Think of Thomas Edison, the great inventor, whose life embodied James's principle that truth is what works. Edison did not focus on theoretical truths about electricity; he was far more interested in finding a truth that worked in the real world. Through trial and error, he applied his understanding of science and physics to develop the electric light bulb, not as an abstract truth, but as something that could illuminate the world and make a lasting impact on society. His inventions were not born from pure theory but from the practical application of ideas tested in the real world. In this way, Edison demonstrated that truth, for him, was not something to be debated endlessly, but something to be used, something that worked to solve the problems of his time.

Similarly, in the scientific revolution, Galileo Galilei challenged the prevailing truths of his day, not through theoretical argument alone, but through empirical observation and practical proof. His discovery that the Earth revolved around the Sun was not simply a truth of the cosmos; it was a truth that worked to explain the motion of the planets in a way that previous models could not. By aligning his understanding of the universe with what could be observed and tested, Galileo showed that truth was not a matter of belief or dogma, but a matter of what could be demonstrated through evidence and experimentation.

The lesson from James’s words is simple yet profound: we must learn to focus on truth not as a theoretical construct, but as a tool for navigating the world. Just as the ancient philosophers sought truths that would help people live better lives, so too must we understand that truth is dynamic, shaped by our experiences, our challenges, and the actions we take. In this sense, truth is not a distant, unchanging ideal but something that evolves as we move through life, constantly tested by our needs and our environments. It is not enough to speak of truth; it must be lived, it must work.

In our own lives, we can adopt this practical understanding of truth by questioning the assumptions and ideas that govern our behavior. Truth, in the world of James, is something that must help us live more fully, more effectively, and more meaningfully. We should strive not to get bogged down by rigid, abstract notions of truth, but to test ideas and beliefs against reality. Is this way of thinking helping me to grow, to learn, to solve problems? Does it lead to action that enriches my life and the lives of those around me? If it does, then it is truth. If it doesn’t, then perhaps it’s time to seek a different path.

By embracing James’s pragmatism, we free ourselves from the paralysis of seeking an unreachable, abstract truth and instead embrace a truth that works—a truth grounded in real-world applications, one that leads to progress, action, and growth. It is in this pursuit of actionable truth that we find meaning, for truth, in its purest form, is not merely something to be known, but something to be lived. Let us, therefore, commit to seeking truth not in endless debate, but in the ways it helps us solve the challenges before us, enrich our understanding, and create a better, more purposeful life.