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Theories of Truth

Theories of Truth. What do we do about truth in ToK ?. Correspondence Theory. Correspondence definition: a close similarity, connection, or equivalence. A statement is true if it corresponds to a fact. One reality= One truth Exp. It is sunny outside. The grass is green.

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Theories of Truth

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  1. Theories of Truth What do we do about truth in ToK?

  2. Correspondence Theory • Correspondence definition: a close similarity, connection, or equivalence. • A statement is true if it corresponds to a fact. • One reality= One truth • Exp. It is sunny outside. The grass is green. • Driving force behind the 17th century scientific revolution.

  3. Correspondence Theory Plato

  4. Correspondence Theory Aristotle

  5. Correspondence Theory Einstein

  6. But……… • Problems with Facts: too general at times • Correspondence is never perfect. • Truth cannot be determined in isolation.

  7. How might the following propositions be said to correspond to facts about reality? Any problems with them? • That cat is on the mat. • All metals expand when heated. • Pigs do not have wings. • Archduke Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated in August 1914. • Random torture is wrong. • The Mona Lisa is a beautiful painting.

  8. Coherence Theory • Coherence definition: The quality of forming a unified whole. • A proposition is true if it fits in with our overall set of beliefs. • There has to be logical consistency. • It helps to show how we arrive our knowledge • Exp: The drunk driver says, “There are pink elephants dancing on the road in front of us.”

  9. Coherence Theory Immanuel Kant

  10. Well….. • While Coherence my be a necessary condition for truth, it is not sufficient. • Exp: Fiction (its coherent, but not true). • Coherence cannot exclude crazy beliefs. • It can lead to intellectual laziness.

  11. Devise Absurd but coherent explanations for each. • The movement of the sun across the sky • Insomnia • The price of stocks and shares • The assassination of John F Kennedy • Global warming • The variety of species on the planet.

  12. Pragmatic Theory • Pragmatic definition: dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on practical rather than theoretical considerations. • If the proposition works in practice then it is true. • Is it useful to believe in the truth then it is true. • Exp: believing in a diety.

  13. Pragmatic Theory William James

  14. Oh Darn, not again…. • A statement can be useful but not true • AND • True but not useful • Two contradictory beliefs could both be true (look at religion) • Useful and “works in practice: are too vague to give us a workable theory of truth • Could usefulness be more of a consequence of truth rather then a criterion?

  15. Let’s play a game!You tell me if the examples are: • True and useful • True but NOT useful • Useful but NOT true • NOT useful and NOT true

  16. Ready Go! • John Lennon’s first girlfriend was called Thelma Pickles • You should never talk to strangers. • 2+2=4 • We are fighting a just war and have God on our side. • Human beings have free-will • Santa Claus is watching you to see if you are good or bad

  17. How will I ever know the Truth? • Don’t worry! Use Justified True Belief! • Truth: Is it beyond reasonable doubt? • Belief: you need to believe in your truth • Justified: You must be able to justify your belief or truth and it must be of the right kind (i.e. your WoKs). It also needs to be in the right context.

  18. Belief knowledge-continuum • Human beings have an immortal soul. • If A is bigger than B and B is bigger than C, than A is bigger than C. • Murder is wrong. • Aliens visited the earth at some time during its history. • All metals expand when heated. • It is possible to construct a square with the same area as a given circle.

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