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Full Idea
What measures knowledge's value, its correctness and truth, is the degree of its availability for conducting to a successful issue the activities of living beings.
Gist of Idea
The value and truth of knowledge are measured by success in activity
Source
John Dewey (The Middle Works (15 vols, ed Boydston) [1910], 4:180), quoted by David Hildebrand - Dewey 2 'Critique'
Book Ref
Hildebrand,David: 'Dewey' [One World 2008], p.45
A Reaction
Note that this is the measure of truth, not the nature of truth (which James seemed to believe). Dewey gives us a clear and perfect statement of the pragmatic view of knowledge. I don't agree with it.
Related Idea
Idea 22869 Knowledge is either the product of competent enquiry, or it is meaningless [Dewey]
| 22871 | The good people are those who improve; the bad are those who deteriorate [Dewey] |
| 22876 | Democracy is the development of human nature when it shares in the running of communal activities [Dewey] |
| 22865 | Habits constitute the self [Dewey] |
| 22874 | Individuality is only developed within groups [Dewey] |
| 22868 | The value and truth of knowledge are measured by success in activity [Dewey] |
| 22875 | Democracy is not just a form of government; it is a mode of shared living [Dewey] |