Lesson 6- Theories of Truth - for hand outs.pdf

Phiosophy 1

1. Methods of Philosophizing
(Part 2)
Theories of Truth
LESSON 6
Mr. Edward B.
Noda Jr.

2. In knowing the truth or falsity of a statement, we
generally use the following Theories of Truth:
1. 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
actually are based on the facts.
▪It argues that an idea that correspond
with reality is true while an idea, which
does not correspond to reality is false.

3. 1.The Correspondence Theory of Truth:
For example, if I say,
“The sky is blue”
then I looked outside and saw that
it is indeed blue, then my
statement is true.
On the other hand, if I say,
“Pigs have wings”
and then I checked a pig and it
does not have wings, then my
statement is false

4. 1.The Correspondence Theory of Truth:
The Correspondence Theory of Truth
would have sense perception or
experienceas its source of knowledge.

5. Fact vs. Belief
●A factis some set
of circumstances
in the world while
a beliefis an
opinionabout what
those facts are.
●A fact cannot be
either true or
false because it
simply the way the
world is.
●A belief, however,
is capable of being
true or false
because it may or
may not accurately
describe the world.

6. Correspondence Theory
assumes that a belief is true
when we are able to confirm it
with reality.
In other words, by simply
checking if the statement or
belief agrees with the way
things really are, we can know
the truth.

7. 2.The Coherence Theory of Truth
●Deals with the consistencyof the truth of
statements being claimed within the system
that is being used or employed.
●For example: use of a formula for a certain
mathematical problem.
●Coherence-the quality of being logical and
consistent.

8. 2.The Coherence Theory of Truth
●In a sense, the Coherence Theory is similar to
the Correspondence Theory since both evaluates
statements based on their agreement with
reality. The difference lies in the method
where the former involves a larger system
while the latter relies on a single evidence
of fact.

9. The Pragramatic Theory
of Truth states that a
belief/statement is
true if it has a
useful
(pragmatic)PRACTICAL
application in the
world. If it does not,
then it is not true.
3. The Pragmatic
Theory of Truth
Pragmatism as a philosophical
viewpoint is associated with
William James

10. 3. The Pragmatic Theory of Truth
●“If I do this, what is in it for me? ”
Once you examine your choices or
alternatives, you would take into
consideration the good and practical
consequences before making a decision.

11. 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 into useful
application.

12. The Allegory of the Cave

14. Let’s Analyze
What does this
story mean?
Knowledge comes from
the senses BUT real
knowledge is born
out of philosophical
process.

15. Symbolism:
Cave:
Ignorance
misunderstanding
Shadows:
perceptions
Reaction of
prisoners:
hesitation to
seek truth and
knowledge
Sun:
Philosophical
truth and
knowledge

16. Symbolism:
Escaped prisoner:
Philosophers, people who
seeks knowledge outside the
cave (comfort zone)
Journey of the escaped
prisoner: journey on finding
truth and wisdom