How did Bernard Williams examine truth in Truth and Truthfulness?

In his final book, Truth and Truthfulness (2002), Bernard Williams examined the importance of truth across theoretical, practical, political, and personal spheres.1

Rather than treating truth as a purely abstract or scientific concept, Williams utilized a genealogical method—inspired by his admiration for Friedrich Nietzsche—to explore how truth functions as a human value. He investigated the significance of truthfulness by considering the historical and social contexts that shape human understanding, moving away from the model of natural science to emphasize the role of history in self-exploration.1

By applying these ideas, Williams sought to understand the nature and value of truth in human life, reflecting his broader philosophical commitment to viewing philosophy as a humanistic discipline that must remain true to the complexity and contingency of the human perspective.1