In Search of Truth

The four truth tests:

Name of test	How it works + real world example	Strengths of the test	Weaknesses of the test
(1) Correspondence	Asks whether we the proposition matches to what we know through our senses to be true. Eg. If one goes to a football match and afterwards claim that a certain goalkeeper was playing the game. Thus, the claim can be confirmed by using vision. Empitisicm → All knowledge comes from sensory experience, observation & experimentation rather than innate ideas. Similar to empirisicm theory: we rely on personal experiences to derive the truth.
(2) Pragmatic	Supported by the pragmatism theory: one holds the truth as whatever is profitable & beneficial to us. William James (a believer in the theory), the truth is changable rather than concrete. Trial and error assist humans to figure out a successful, indevidual truth. Eg. Jame’s position on religion: there is little philosophical justification for the believing in God. But if one find his potential existance fullfiling then that is one’s truth.
(3) Consensus	Based on the concept that truth is what the majority of people believe. Eg. The fact that a goalkeeper what present in a match would be confirmed if the majory of viewers would deem it as true. This test is not one favoured by philosophers but one instinctively drawn in by humans. Eg. Marketing companies Relying on this truth test is a logical fallacy! Logical fallacy → errors in reasoning that may lead to false conclusions.
(4) Coherence	Relies on the proposition fitting in with what we already know to make sense. Eg. if one had made the knowledge claim that a goalkeeper was playing in the match without having been there, the claim must be based on other pieces of info that made the fact likely. (perhaps he plays well, in good shape or said to be a top choice.) Rationalism → emphasizes & relies on reason & logic as the primary source of knowledge. Similar to rationalism, and demands that we use concrete information rather than personal experiences.