Single Idea 22868

[catalogued under 11. Knowledge Aims / A. Knowledge / 3. Value of Knowledge]

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 Reference

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]