Truth is eternally existing and becomes revealed through sincere spiritual practice and devotional service.Listen — Srila Prabhupada Uvaca
Śyāmasundara: Today we are discussing American philosopher William James. His philosophy is called pragmatism, or that which can be practically applied. The central thesis of his philosophy is that the whole function of thought is to produce habits of action. In other words, he was tired of theoretical philosophy, and he wanted to see that philosophy had practical application.
Prabhupāda: So philosophy without practical application is called mental speculation. It has no value. We agree to that. Philosophy must be practically applied in life. That is real philosophy.
Śyāmasundara: He says that there is a question, "What difference would it
make, practically, to anyone, if this notion rather than that notion were true?" He says that the criterion for deciding that question is the practicality of something. If there are two questions, two notions, then the standard of judgment should be which notion is applicable in practice.
Śyāmasundara: Which notion will have the better result in practice.
Prabhupāda: Which is factual, not theoretical--that will have good effect in practice. What is his example?
Śyāmasundara: There is no example given, but for instance, if there are two different theories involving a subject, then that theory which is more easily practiced is more true. It has become part of our experience; that is true. He says that anything that is meaningful or real must have some influence on practice, on our experience, and vice verse. Anything that is practiced must be meaningful or real.