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About this quote

What does it mean?
Truth is not static but a process that happens to ideas through verification events. An idea becomes true as it validates itself over time.
In plain terms
Truth is a process of verification, not a fixed state.
What can you take from it?
Test ideas through events to confirm their truth.

Where it applies

  • philosophical inquiry
  • scientific testing
  • debate

Putting it to work

  • test claims empirically
  • view truth as dynamic

Questions to consider

  • Is truth always process-dependent?
  • How do ideas become true?

Another view

Some truths may be intuitive rather than event-based.

More from William James

  1. Our minds thus grow in spots; and like grease-spots, the spots spread. But we let them spread as little as possible: we keep unaltered as much of our old knowl…

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  2. First, you know, a new theory is attacked as absurd; then it is admitted to be true, but obvious and insignificant; finally it is seen to be so important that …

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  3. I myself believe that the evidence for God lies primarily in inner personal experiences.

    Permalink to quote #106

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