A pragmatic theory of truth (a response to recent discussions)

Angel M.Y. Lin (mylin who-is-at oise.on.ca)
Sat, 13 Jan 1996 18:52:37 -0500 (EST)

Hi fellow xmca'ers,

I've followed the recent discussions by Eugene, Bill, and on another but
to me looks similar thread, by Edouard and Judy...
I'm no philosopher, but only a practical person living in this world
where I see many practical struggles going on... e.g., aa child not
speaking English as her/his mother tongue who is
struggling to learn English in order to succeed in school; while we may
be academically discussing whether there's something called identity or
resistance, or whatever notions...

Wittgenstein talks about the many language games we live in. This is
however not to say there's no reality checks... I believe in a pragmatic
theory of truth; I like what William James writes in "Pragmatism" (1907):

"The true is the name of whatever proves itself to be good in the way of
belief, and good, too, for definite assignable reasons. ....

...in this world, just as certain foods are not only agreeable to our
taste, but good for our teeth, our stomach, and our tissues; so certain
ideas are not only agreeable to think about, or agreeable as supporting
other ideas that we are fond of, but they are helpful in life's many
practical struggles" (p. 59).

Best,
Angel