The value of truth, as it applies to this universe, is that it enables you to make things work. By “work,” we mean how well something operates to produce a desired result.
There are loads of grand ideas, attractive ideas, and compelling ideas that have only one major flaw—they don’t work. They’re a little bit like a medicine man trying to “fix” a broken car. He can be quite sincere, he can try hard, he can do what he believes to be the right actions and put on a good show, and he can convince others that what he’s doing is right, maybe even favored by the gods, but no amount of special smoke, solemn incantations, or holy rattles will ever fix the car.
In not fixing the car, no matter how well-intentioned, no matter how reasonable or compelling-sounding it may seem, and no matter how assiduously applied, his philosophy is shown to be lacking. You can always judge the relative truth of an idea by simply observing how well it works to produce a desired result.
Are our economic philosophies leading us to widespread, long-term, sustainable prosperity? Do our medical technologies lead us to vibrancy and health? Are our social programs leading us to a society full of happy people living meaningful lives? Are we all becoming increasingly healthy, happy, and prosperous? Are we actually making progress as a race? Look around—failure abounds.
Truth in this universe is clothed in workability, while falsity and error have only the illusory robes of failure to hide their nakedness.