Lesson 6: Theories of Truth

The Correspondence Theory of Truth

• The basic idea of the correspondence theory is that what we believe or say is true if it corresponds to the way things are based on the facts.

The Correspondence Theory of Truth

• It argues that an idea that correspond with reality is true while an idea, which does not correspond to reality is false.

The Correspondence Theory of Truth

• “The sky is blue”

  then I looked outside and saw that it is indeed blue, then my statement is true.

The Correspondence Theory of Truth

• “Pigs have wings”

  then I checked a pig and it did not have wings, then my statement was false

The Correspondence Theory of Truth

• have sense perception or experience as its source of knowledge.

• FACT

• set of circumstances in the world while a belief is an opinion about what those facts are.

• cannot be either true or false because it simply the way the world is.

• BELIEF

• capable of being true or false because it may or may not accurately describe the world.

The Correspondence Theory of Truth

• assumes that a belief is true when we can confirm it with reality.

• simply checking if the statement or belief agrees with the way things really are, we can know the truth.

The Coherence Theory of Truth

• Deals with the consistency of the truth of statements being claimed within the system that is being used or employed.

The Coherence Theory of Truth

• For example: use of a formula for a certain mathematical problem.

• Coherence

• the quality of being logical and consistent.

The Pragmatic Theory of Truth

• states that a belief/statement is true if it has a useful PRACTICAL application in the world. If it does not, then it is not true.

William James

Pragmatism as a philosophical viewpoint is associated with

“If I do this, what is in it for me?”

• Once you examine your choices or alternatives, you will take into consideration the good and practical consequences before making a decision.

The Pragmatic Theory of Truth

• We can know if statements/beliefs are true if we look at each statement/belief and determine if they correspond to facts, cohere with the rules of the system, and result in useful application.