We think that knowing the truth allows us to intervene successfully in the world. It's precisely because fusion releases neutrons that we can build nuclear weapons, and precisely because we know the laws of physics that we can travel into space. But critics argue we don't know that science reveals the truth at all. Over half of the world's leading physicists say quantum mechanics doesn't accurately describe reality. And the great 20th century philosopher Putnam claimed 'science takes away foundations without providing a replacement,' leading many to point to a fundamental problem.
If we give up the idea of objective truth, how can we do anything? Will we discover how our theories enable us to intervene if we don't share a unified account of reality? Do we need to do away with the need to explain how our theories work altogether? Or can we only explain how they work by appealing to truth?