Utility - criterion of Truth
Pragmatism is a form of radical empiricism. It affirms that experience is the only source of knowledge. Reason alone cannot be a source of knowledge. Knowledge is derived from discernable facts and actions, rather than from logical proofs or abstract, rigid principles. The pragmatic criterion of truth consists in the utility of the belief in satisfying human needs in a social way. William James defines pragmatism as "the attitude of looking away from things, principles, categories, supposed necessities; and of looking towards last things, fruits, consequences, facts." (Pragmatism, 51 -55).
Pragmatism agrees with nominalism, in its concern for the particular rather than the universal; with utilitarianism, in emphasizing practical utility; and with positivism, in rejecting speculation upon final causes or ultimate ends.
Pragmatism is not only a method, but is a theory of truth as well. According to James, ideas become true to the extent that they help us to get into satisfactory relation with other parts of our experience. True ideas work when applied to our experience, false ideas do not. Truth is not something abstract. Truth is what we say about ideas that work when we apply them to our experience. False ideas do not help us to meet the demands of experience.
According to the pragmatic criterion of truth, true ideas have practical value, false ideas do not. True ideas are those that can be validated, corroborated, and verified. False ideas do not withstand this test.Truth is dynamic. The truth of an idea is not a static property inherent in it. Truth is something that happens to an idea.
Truth emerges from facts, but also adds to facts. Facts are not true or false. Facts simply exist. Ideas may be true or false. True ideas can be verified, directly or indirectly. The importance of verification is that true thoughts are instruments of action. An idea that cannot be verified cannot become a rule for action.
Pragmatism is a method of investigating the world's possibility. James's philosophy is remarkable for its flexibility, and for its concern with adapting and responding to the world of possibility. James's approach is also remarkable for its ability to resolve questions of metaphysical controversy. His theory of knowledge is concerned with the utility or practical application of ideas, concepts, or value judgments, and is thus an instrumental approach to reality.
James's theory presents us with the question of whether the utility of an idea is defined by its truth, or whether the truth of an idea is defined by its utility. Both are correct, according to James's theory. An idea is useful because it is true, and an idea is true because it is useful. Truth is seen as equivalent to utility. Here both these phrases mean exactly the same thing, namely that here is an idea that gets fulfilled and can be verified. True is the name for whatever idea starts the verification process, useful is the name for its completed function in experience
source: http://www.angelfire.com/md2/timewarp/pragmatism.html
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