The “Effectual Truth”

What works matters more than what sounds good.

The effectual truth is about reality as it actually behaves, not how we wish it behaved or how we say it should behave. Moral ideals, intentions, and theories don’t count if they fail under real conditions. Truth is measured by results.

This idea comes from Niccolò Machiavelli, who argued that judging actions by ideals instead of outcomes leads to failure. Survival, stability, and effectiveness require seeing the world as it is and acting accordingly.

Effectual truth asks one blunt question:
Does this work in the real world?

If not, it doesn’t matter how noble it sounds.