True or Useful?

[Kilgore Trout]

All else being equal, what is more important, or more valuable, to you: that something is true, or that something is useful? Or, do you find the distinction unimportant?

 

[Revoltingest]

Useful is the new true.

 

[Quintessence]

To me, the meanings of the word "truth" include "useful," so... truth?

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

To me, the meanings of the word "truth" include "useful," so... truth?

Interesting. I was thinking just the opposite.

 

[Straw Dog]

All else being equal, what is more important, or more valuable, to you: that something is true, or that something is useful? Or, do you find the distinction unimportant?

I find that things we often consider to be true tend to be useful and things we see as useful tend to become true. I don't really know the true difference between the two nor the useful difference here haha. I guess I'm somewhat of a neo-pragmatist.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

All else being equal, what is more important, or more valuable, to you: that something is true, or that something is useful? Or, do you find the distinction unimportant?

I don't think the distinction's valid at all.

IMO, true things generally end up being useful eventually even if they aren't immediately, and things that are "useful but not true" usually end up being pretty useless.

 

[Gjallarhorn]

All else being equal, what is more important, or more valuable, to you: that something is true, or that something is useful? Or, do you find the distinction unimportant?

Truth is valuable to me for the fact that it's, well, true. But usefulness is generally better, as long as you don't accept it as true.

 

[SCHIZO]

All else being equal, what is more important, or more valuable, to you: that something is true, or that something is useful? Or, do you find the distinction unimportant?

Truth is useful but has no place in the world. I would rather know the truth about something than be in the dark. If something is truly useful then there must be truth in it.

 

[Quintessence]

Interesting. I was thinking just the opposite.

Now that you mention it, I can also agree with it being the other way around also. Darn it.

I opt out of this question then.

 

[atanu]

All else being equal, what is more important, or more valuable, to you: that something is true, or that something is useful? Or, do you find the distinction unimportant?

True in my definition is that which remains true. That only can be truly useful. Temporary usefulness or temporary truths lead to attachment that usually become pain.

 

[ChristineES]

All else being equal, what is more important, or more valuable, to you: that something is true, or that something is useful? Or, do you find the distinction unimportant?

I hope things that are both useful and true.

 

[Trey of Diamonds]

All else being equal, what is more important, or more valuable, to you: that something is true, or that something is useful? Or, do you find the distinction unimportant?

Hmmmm, I'm going to say it depends on the context. I value both truth and usefullness. If I'm in a position where I have to chose, I would probably go with useful.

 

[PolyHedral]

Things which are not true (even if only in a specific context) are not useful.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Things which are not true (even if only in a specific context) are not useful.

So, lies cannot be useful?

 

[PolyHedral]

So, lies cannot be useful?

Believing them isn't.

 

[Tonymai]

If you can lure people into your frame of lies, your lies can be useful to manipulate them. If you teach people truth, they will find the use of it on their own because truth liberates.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Believing them isn't.

If someone believes that a medium has communicated with their dead spouse, and this gives the person some kind of emotional closure or benefit, couldn't that be considered useful?

 

[McBell]

Believing them isn't.

I supposed that depends upon your position in regards to the lie.

 

[blackout]

Useful is more useful to me.

 

[Trey of Diamonds]

Things which are not true (even if only in a specific context) are not useful.

Truth is a subjective term based on perception. Today's truth becomes tomorrows lie. Both truths and lies can be useful or damaging.