Identifying truth with the success of ideas

Identifying truth with the success of ideas. This success, however, is not determined at any one time, by one person, in a single practical situation. Instead an idea succeeds, literally moves forward, through many tests, conducted by many different people, over an extended period of time. It is like science in this respect. The success of any specific inference is validated only for the time being In a provisional fashion. Ultimately, complete success, T truth, would be achieved only in the infinite long run, it is not the sort of certainty that we should expect in our lifetimes. Best, we can hope to negotiate life by way of little truths, which guide us more and less successfully in our daily affairs.

— from True North (Ethics, Integrity, Truth, Values)

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