PHIL 201STUDY GUIDE: LESSON 12What Is Truth?Lesson OverviewIn this lesson, we turn our attention to the issue of truth and ask two basic questions: what is truth? and how do we find it? We discuss whether or not anything is actually true and then look at traditional ways that truth has been defined: correspondence, coherentism, and pragmatism. We will examine each of these theories and how each relates to truth.TasksView and take notes of the presentation, “What is Truth?”- Know the strengths and criticisms of the 3 different truth theories1. Correspondence TheoryStrengths: 1. it accords with our most basic intuitions about truth. It is simply what most of us mean when we say a proposition is true or false 2. it links truth with reality, which provides us with a reliable check on the truthfulness of propositionsCriticisms: 1. Some say we may not see reality equally or accurately. We may see it differently. 2. Some people will make claims that really do not involve facts. Truth applies only to factual claims. It doesn’t apply to other kinds of claims, like subjective value claims. 3. Correspondence is kind of a vague idea. What exactly do we mean that a proposition corresponds to reality?2. Coherence TheoryStrengths: 1. It does help to establish truths in an area where we don’t know all the facts. 2. Many systems and non-factual areas work this way: ethics, politics, math. They all seem to work with this idea that, if it fits in well with our theory, then, in fact, that probably makes it true.Criticisms: 1. It’s not a sufficient condition for truth. Just because something coheres and fitswithin a system doesn’t make it true; it simply means it doesn’t contradict. 2. how does one judge the truthfulness of the systems themselves? 3. If the way to determine whether or not a proposition is true is if it fits within a system, well what if I’m just starting off?3. Pragmatic TheoryStrengths: 1. It is often used, for example, in explaining scientific theories. 2. This area of truth is appealed to in areas of morality, politics, or religion. . It’s successful in giving me purpose and meaning, so that is true for me. 3. This recognizes the relativity of truth claims. Sometimes different perspectives are going to look at things differently and come out with different truth claims. And sometimes there are degrees of truth. Some can be more or less true.Criticisms: 1. there simply is no logical connection between what works and what is true. Just because something works or is successful in some way doesn’t make it true. 2. we need to establish criteria for determining exactly what we mean by “successful.” The pragmatic theory holds that, if something is successful, it is true. But what does it mean for something tobe successful? 3. This theory makes truth very tentative and changeable. What was true yesterday is not true today if it doesn’t work today.Page 1 of 5PHIL 201- Be able to answer the criticisms of the correspondence theory.1. We may not see reality equally or accurately.2. What about non-factual claims?3. "Correspondence" is vague.4. Correspondence theory doesn't account for Liar's paradox (Universal claim: I always lie) - a Paradox-do not count as legitimate truth claims(Slide)Read Chapter 4 of How Do We Know? An Introduction to Epistemology. As you do, consider the following questions and points:- Why do postmodern anti-realists reject truth claims?--they believe truth claims to be subjective, they think it is impossible for a person to view reality as it actually it--they suggest truth claims fail to appreciate the various ways that our live and understnaidng or reality are shaped- What is wrong with the postmodern rejection of truth claims?Overstating their case, drawing illogical conclusions. Foolish to say that there can be no correspondence whatsoever between statements and reality. If so, then we would continuethinking that truth statements are those that correspond to the world itself. (pg. 58)- What are the 4 reasons Dew and Foreman give in favor of making truth claims?1. the statment that "nothing is true" is contridictory2. the position is challenged by the nature of reality itself3. each of us has an oversimplified sense of something that is actually true4. consider the achievements of modern science- What are the differences between a definition of truth and a test for truth?Definition - describes the nature of an object, concept or truth. Particularly interested in comprehending its nature.Test - a test for something is a means which we identify or locate it. When it comes to truth claims, tests are used to see which ones are right and which ones are wrong. (pg. 52)- Which theory of truth has enjoyed the most historical support?Correspondence theory of truth (pg. 52)- What is a coherentist theory of truth?A proposition is true if it coheres with, or is consistent with, everything else that a person believes. Metaphor: web (pg. 52)- What is wrong with coherentism as a theory of truth?The main problem is that a set of beliefs held by fallible human beings may be coherent, but false. (pg. 52)- What epistemic value does coherentism have in helping us identify truth?Coherence of ideas may not guarantee that a particular set of ideas is true. Nevertheless, for a particular set of beliefs to be true, they must be consistent with themselves. If they fail, the belief is false. (pg. 60) It is a necessary condition for truth (pg. 61)Page 2 of 5PHIL 201- What is a pragmatist theory of truth?Defines truth as a set of beliefs that works for a particular person or group in dealing withreality or accomplishing particular tasks. So then, if a belief helps a person copy with hardship or reach a particular goal, then the belief is counted as truth. (pg. 54)- What is the primary concern for pragmatists?--just becasue an idea works for a person doesn't mean its true--this view also lead to relativism and implasinility- What kinds of epistemological problems does pragmatism face?Just because a particular idea or belief may work for a person, or bring about a particular outside, does not mean that the idea or belief is true. (pg. 54)- What does the correspondence theory of truth say about the nature of truth?--truth is deined as that which correspondes to reality--truth propositions or statements are requiered to fit or line up with what we find in the world- Why is a correspondence theory of truth thought to be pretheoretic?--it is not the idea that results from