PHIL 201STUDY GUIDE: LESSON 9What Is Truth?Lesson OverviewHaving analyzed the belief aspect of “justified true belief,” next we turn our attention to the issueof truth in this lesson. We 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 theories.o Correspondence theory:o Coherence theory:o Pragmatic theory:- Be able to answer the criticisms of the correspondence theory.o We may not see reality equally or accuratelyo What about non-factual claims?o “Correspondence” is vagueo Correspondence theory doesn’t account for Liar’s paradox (Universal claim: I always lie)- a Paradox- do not count as legitimate truth claimsRead Chapter 4 of How Do We Know? As you do, consider the following questions and points:- Why do postmodern anti-realists reject truth claims?o They suggest that truth claims fail to appreciate the various ways that our ideas and understanding of reality are shaped and influenced by the world in which we live. Because of this, they contend that absolute truth does not exist.- What is wrong with the postmodern rejection of truth claims?o Overstating their case, drawing illogical conclusions. Foolish to say that there can be no correspondence whatsoever between statements and reaility. If so, then we would continue thinking 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?o It is commonly noted that this statement that something is actually true. Those who make this statement obviously believe that it is true, and, by doing so, they contradict themselves.o This position is challended by the nature of reality itself. If something exists, then something must actually be true about that reality. If nothing else, it would be trueto say that they world exists, I exist or something exists. And so, if these things really do exist, then something is true of them.- What are the differences between a definition of truth and a test for truth?Page 1 of 4PHIL 201o Definition: describes the nature of an object, concept, or event. Particularly interested in comprehending its nature.o Test: a means by which we identify or locate it. When it comes to truth claims, testare used to see which one are right and which ones are wrong (pg. 52)- Which theory of truth has enjoyed the most historical support?o Correspondence of theory of truth.(pg. 52)- What is a coherentist theory of truth?o A propositions is true if it coheres with or is consistent with, everything else that aperson believes. Metaphor: web (pg. 52)o Claims must relate to each other in a consistent and harmonious fashion.- What is wrong with coherentism as a theory of truth?o The main problem is that a set of beliefs held by fallible human beings may be coherent, but false. (pg 52)o Incomplete way of identifying truth claims.o Stories may prove to be coherent and consistent, but they are still not true no matter what.- What epistemic value does coherentism have in helping us identify truth?o 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 withthemselves. If they fail, the belief is fals. (pg 60) o It is a necessary condition for truth (pg. 61)o Helps test truth values.- What is a pragmatist theory of truth?o Pragmatism defines truth as a set of beliefs that works for a particular person or group in dealing with reality or accomplishing particular tasks.o So then, if a belief helps a person cope with hardship or reach a particular goal, then the belief is counted as truth. (pg. 54)- What is the primary concern for pragmatists?o Truth is to be construed instrumentally, such that beliefs always prove useful or expedient to those who believe them.- What kinds of epistemological problems does pragmatism face?o Just because a particular idea or belief may work for a person, or bring about a particular outside, doesn’t mean that the idea or belief is true. (pg 54)- What does the correspondence theory of truth say about the nature of truth?o Expresses the very natural idea that truth is a content-to-world or word-to-world relation: what we say or think is true or false in virtue of the way the world turns out to be.o “ a false belief will be a matter of believing things that are contrart to those which are.” - Why is a correspondence theory of truth thought to be pretheoretic?o This is pretheoretic in that it is not an idea that results from complext theory builing about the nature of truth but a belief that people bring to their theorizing about truth.- How is a correspondence theory of truth supported by biblical Christianity?Page 2 of 4PHIL 201o Without the correspondence view of truth, these resounding affirmations can only ring hollow. Therefore, the correspondence view of truth is not simply one of many options for Christians. It is the only biblically and logically grounded view of truth available and allowable. (pg. 57)- How does the correspondence theory of truth relate to modern science?o Alister McGrath says “despite all the qualifications that must be entered against our broad statement that theory must be grounded in or consistent with EXPERIMENTAL OBSERVATIONS, the general principle holds: Scientific theories must be grounded I the real worl. They are accountable to the reality theypurport to represent. (pg. 57-58)- What value, if any, do coherentism and pragmatism have as tests for truth?o Coherence- for a particular set of beliefs to be true, they must be consistent with themselves. If they fail to be consistent, then either one or all of the beliefs are false.o Pragmatism- if a particular belief is true, then it will, at minimum, prove to be useful.TermsMake sure you can explain the following terms and concepts:Page 3 of 4PHIL 201- Correspondence Theory: truth is defined as the which corresponds toreailty. True propositions or statements are required to fit with, or line up wit , what we find in the world (pg. 56)- Coherence Theory: a proposition is true if it coheres with, or is