Synopses & Reviews
This book argues that correspondence theories of truth fail because the relation that holds between a true thought and a fact is that of identity, not correspondence. Facts are not complexes of worldly entities which make thoughts true; they are merely true thoughts. According to Julian Dodd, the resulting
modest identity theory, while not defining truth, correctly diagnoses the failure of correspondence theories, and thereby prepares the ground for a defensible deflation of the concept of truth.
Review
"Dodd's book presents a clear, thorough account of work on identity theories of truth...Dodd's clear, thorough exposition of the issues, and his engagement with minimalism, rewards close study."--Michael Hay,
Australasian Journal of Philosophy"Exceptionally clearly argued...this is an excellent book...Dodd has thought-provoking things to say about the work of Ramsay, Tarski, Blackburn, Prior, Vendler, Rundle, and Salmon...The book is so well written that it could serve as a partisan introduction to truth for postgraduates and advanced undergraduates. Indeed, it could serve as a model of how to write good, clear philosophical prose. Overall, the book can profitably be read by anyone interested in the philosophy of truth."--Alexander Miller, Mind
Synopsis
This book argues that correspondence theories of truth fail because the relation that holds between a true thought and a fact is that of identity, not correspondence. Facts are not complexes of worldly entities which make thoughts true; they are merely true thoughts. According to Julian Dodd, the resulting
modest identity theory, while not defining truth, correctly diagnoses the failure of correspondence theories, and thereby prepares the ground for a defensible deflation of the concept of truth.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 188-194) and index.
About the Author
JULIAN DODD lectures in philosophy at the University of Manchester, UK. His previous publications include Musical Works: An Essay in Ontology (OUP, 2007) and, with Helen Beebee, Truthmakers: The Contemporary Debate (OUP, 2005).
Table of Contents
Truthmakers, Facts and States of Affairs: A Critique of Correspondence * Propositions, Indirect Speech and Truthbearers * The Nature of Propositions: Thoughts Versus States of Affairs * Facts are True Thoughts * From Correspondence to Identity * A Variety of Deflationism Defended * Aberrations of Rival Identity Theories