Synopses & Reviews
In this provocative and wide-ranging book, Michael Devitt argues for a thoroughgoing realism about the common-sense and scientific physical world, and for a correspondence notion of truth. Furthermore, he argues that, contrary to received opinion, the metaphysical question of realism is distinct from, and prior to, any semantic question about truth. The book makes incisive responses to Putnam, Dummett, van Fraassen, and other major anti-realists. The new afterword includes an extensive discussion of the metaphysics of nonfactualism, and new thoughts on the need for truth and on the determination of reference.
Review
With this worthwhile second edition, Devitt's voice remains one of the most important and distinctive in the arena of contemporary metaphysics-it is too loud and too clear to be ignored. -- John Divers, The Philosophical Quarterly A wide-ranging examination of several central issues in metaphysics, philosophy of language, epistemology, and philosophy of science. Realism and Truth is well worth reading. Devitt writes with clarity and sophistication, and his book is sure to ruffle some anti-realist feathers. -- Philip Gasper, Philosophical Review This book is highly recommended for those who want to break into the current realism/anti-realism debate. . . . An ideal text for those teachers who want to give their students a 'map of the territory.' -- Patrick Madigan, The Review of Metaphysics
Review
"With this worthwhile second edition, Devitt's voice remains one of the most important and distinctive in the arena of contemporary metaphysics-it is too loud and too clear to be ignored."--John Divers, The Philosophical Quarterly
Review
"A wide-ranging examination of several central issues in metaphysics, philosophy of language, epistemology, and philosophy of science. Realism and Truth is well worth reading. Devitt writes with clarity and sophistication, and his book is sure to ruffle some anti-realist feathers."--Philip Gasper, Philosophical Review
Review
"This book is highly recommended for those who want to break into the current realism/anti-realism debate. . . . An ideal text for those teachers who want to give their students a 'map of the territory.'"--Patrick Madigan, The Review of Metaphysics
Synopsis
In this provocative and wide-ranging book, Michael Devitt argues for a thoroughgoing realism about the common-sense and scientific physical world, and for a correspondence notion of truth. Furthermore, he argues that, contrary to received opinion, the metaphysical question of realism is distinct from, and prior to, any semantic question about truth. The book makes incisive responses to Putnam, Dummett, van Fraassen, and other major anti-realists. The new afterword includes an extensive discussion of the metaphysics of nonfactualism, and new thoughts on the need for truth and on the determination of reference.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. [348]-362) and index.
Table of Contents
Preface to the Second Edition
Preface to the First Edition
Part I Introduction
1 Introduction
Part II Proposals
2 What is Realism?
3 What is Truth?
4 What has Truth to do with Realism?
5 Why be a Common-Sense Realist?
6 Why do we Need Truth?
7 Why be a Scientific Realist?
Part III Polemics
8 Van Fraassen against Scientific Realism
9 Kuhn, Feyerabend, and the Radical Philosophers of Science
10 Davidsonians against Reference
11 Rorty's Mirrorless World
12 The Renegade Putnam
13 Worldmaking
14 Dummett's Anti-Realism
Part IV Conclusions
15 Conclusions
Afterword
List of Major Named Maxims and Doctrines
Bibliography
Index