The Truth about Truth
Look truth up. Use Google or any of the countless tomes on truth. Truth is one of the biggest subjects in all of philosophy. It is one of the most important words in any language one can apply to a given statement. It confers understanding, authority, and consensus. Truth is a power word; probably none is stronger. Get your colleague to agree with the truth, not logic or righteousness, of your case, and you have a follower.
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We have updated this
report with the addition of new forms of truth.
The sad truth is that new truth forms are coming every day. See,
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You
will find dozens of variations and philosophies of truth. It implies an elusiveness of definition as it
varies according to situations. So many
shadings exist, it is unlikely a universal definition will ever obtain. The
notion of truth is rather relative, needing a context in which it holds. Indeed, most of the categories below imply the
types of restricted theories of truth.
Such truths have a restricted validity whether to a setting, social,
geographical, political, religious, and others. On the other hand, most truths are
restricted in some way, including through coherent, correspondent, pragmatic,
and others. The opposite type,
unrestricted, implies a universality or absoluteness.
We may say that if a truth is a proposition with the
perception that “it is so,” there are different types. All of these co-mingle, making any sort of
consistent and coherent, much less universal, definition nearly impossible. Moreover, if you begin with the proposition, "If
there is no absolute truth, there is no truth whatever," you will come
away greatly disappointed.
The subject of truth intertwines with the theory of
knowledge, with the theory of reality, and with the theory of beliefs in subtle
ways, so much so that it becomes very difficult to separate them – as the
following paragraphs suggest.
Theories of Truth
The big three in the philosophy of truth are the
correspondence, coherence, and pragmatic theories, with the semantic theory a
possible fourth. We have added a few
corollaries to these, and as well a legal theory of truth, being such a flawed human
system with such vague rules and so very much open to interpretation. Yet, it comes without the emotional baggage of
other types of truth, and most clearly exemplifies all the others.
A. Correspondence Theory of Truth. Here the correspondence is to reality. A proposition, such as “It is sunny outside”
becomes true if it is subsequently verified that indeed it is sunny. This is one of the strongest forms of truth,
and essentially irrefutable unless one wishes to delve into the very meaning of
reality. Propositions true within this theory often
have a limited scope as they pertain to the phenomena of observable reality. Nonetheless, the matter of inference is also
connected with observable reality. No
one has actually seen a quark (i.e. observed one), yet there is inferential
proof they are there.
B. Coherence Theory of Truth. In any
system in which you live or entertain, there may be some items that are
considered within the system as true.
For a proposition to be true by coherence it is necessary that it not
contradict or be contradicted by the other truths. This basically implies internal
consistency. It “fits” within the system,
perhaps logically. However, given a body
of truths, it is relatively routine to construct a proposition that satisfies these
necessity and sufficiency criteria, yet would not be regarded as true. For example, consider the truths accepted by
any body of knowledge. If we say, “The
elfves that live on the one hundredth nearest planet from Earth are purple,” this
proposition clearly doesn’t contradict anything, but few may accept it as
true.
a.
Transitive
Theory of Truth. There is a variation of coherence theory which involves
with multiple sets of truths within the domain of various neighboring
spaces. A proposition in one space is
considered true if it is also true within the transition zones of neighboring
spaces. This is essentially the idea of
new physical M-theory, where the neighboring zones are defined by the scales of
magnitude. For example, in physics there are various
truths within the atomic scale not apparent or even relevant at the macroscopic
level, but many are when the atomic scale widens. A
specific example is the double slit experiment (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double-slit_experiment) which indicated interference at the photonic
level but is utterly unsupported even at the cellular scale. There is current
evidence that interference has been observed at the molecular level. Transitive theories of truth are most suitable
to hierarchical systems. In this there
is some connection notion of absoluteness in mathematical logic, but for the
fact that for this model theory a truth must be true within all structures. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absoluteness) We are requiring agreement only in the zones
of transition.
C. Pragmatic Theory of Truth. This theory
states that a proposition is true if it is (1) believed, and (2) useful. Pragmatic truths are usually limited to
individuals, but can also be applied to whole societies. The individual may believe, “It is important
to study hard,” and so orders personal activities. Another
individual may have no such believe and may in fact observe something quite
different. The society may believe “Obeying
the statutes is important,” and so orders its activities in concordance with
this truth. In addition, a society can
believe that “We must land upon the moon.”
Or “We must construct an interstate highway system.” And some societies have done so and acted
upon them. The importance is not a factor.
a.
Consensus
Theory of Truth. This variation of pragmatic
theory allows a truth of a proposition to be formed if all or most all agree it
is true. The basis of village
superstitions falls among these. None
can be established by any other means. Religious sects have a similar body of truths. Rituals are similar. As
well, science has enjoyed many such truths over the millennia. Consider for example, the theory of
phlogiston or the validity of bloodletting.
Both were once solid scientific truths.
Astrology has furnished a large set of truths, although varying between
practitioners. As a subject it is still followed
widely and believed by millions – even by educated persons.
b.
Social theory
of Truth. These truths are
pragmatic, though not always, and are somewhat similar to consensus-type
truths. They usually but pertain to a
particular social setting. They might be propositions about customs,
rites, planting, hunting, dressing, courting, housing, and most everything
pertaining to living and social relations.
Social truths, some of which may be quite unpopular, maintain a societal
stability. Entire civilizations, tribes,
fraternities, or simply clubs have social truths. Currently, in the USA and Europe, we
currently see efforts toward the deconstruction of many social truths. These may or may not have destabilizing
effects.
D. Semantic
theory of truth. This theory
of truth involves the language used to make the proposition. It involves tautological implications,
contingency, and a number of other linguistic artifacts. It deals with the issues of some propositions
having no truth or falsity, and those which cannot be decided at all. The semantic theory is also concerned with
the nature of the language and the types of statements allowed within it. The
questions and issues are complex. Please
reference the Stanford link below for a detailed discussion.
E. Legal theory of Truth. In many advanced societies, there is a corpus
of statutes, constitutions, case law and the like that has a truth value for
the society. These include contract, constitutional,
probate, criminal, and property laws (i.e. truths). Partly owing to their legal complexities and
vagueness, different legal scholars and lawyers may give (assign) different truth
values to particular situations. In
consequence most societies have an entire legal system to adjudicate and
interpret any given situation on the basis of the corpus. Naturally, with an appeals process, there
becomes an element of coherence and correspondence theories within the system. In most of these systems, there is a supreme
decision making body, in whose decisions there is a general consensus to abide. Such a
system is clearly pragmatic with tones of correspondence.
Combination Theories. When a given truth is both coherent and
correspondent, it is stronger. And if
in addition, it is pragmatic, it becomes stronger still. Hence, it is of some value to study such
combinations from at least a philosophical viewpoint. This leads to levels of truth. It is curious if a single truth can be
contradictory at to having memberships in two different theories or types (below)! They are there!
Type of truths
Many types of truths persist that while they don’t support their
own theory per se; they exist and
form the great guideposts in normal human behavior, in philosophical discourse,
in social systems, and in science.
Absolute truth. The most elusive of truths, defying even
definition. It is a possible conjecture
an absolute truth is one adhering to coherence, correspondence, and pragmatism. But even this will not do. In the
model theory of logic (see below), there has been defined a type of absolutism.
Emerging truth. These are “truths” purported that at their
proposal are either coherent nor correspond with extant truths, but have a
compelling nature and give an alternative interpretation to extant information. A big geological example is about plate tectonics. In the beginning, it was rejected, but now it
is accepted as though “how could it be any other way?” Similarly, at the beginning of the 20th
century, quantum theory was rejected by many physicists. Yet the new breed of physicists persisted,
showing how classical and quantum physics intertwined, how quantum physics
explained many problems non-resolvable or incorrectly resolvable by classical
theories. This theory and its body of
truths emerged and became coherent and corresponding.
Emotional truth. Here we are convening directly upon a
proposition combined with a belief, a proposition that partly makes it case
upon striking an emotion with the reader.
These are many in number, probably on for every emotion, traumas included. See examples below, which most of us have
used.
- Convenient, Inconvenient
- Sad, happy
- Naked
- Hard
Demagoguery is no stranger to this select list.
Human truth. Such truths which are unique to humans
because they are so, some in aesthetics, some in morality, some in psychology. “Humans are the only thinking, and
reflective species.” As one author has observed, “Many things that
we consider to be inherently true probably reflect distinctive features of
human psychology. For instance, because human beings are primates that readily
establish and acknowledge dominance hierarchies, the human individual may be
predisposed to feeling that there is or could be some entity ‘greater than me.’”
To better understand this idea, consider the concept of mammalian truth, a truth that applying
to all mammals – because they are mammals.
One example is, “It is dangerous to stare at the sun.” Another is “Avoid prolonged exposure to
extreme temperature conditions.”
Personal truths. These are truths valid only for the
individual. “For me, Fords are the very
best cars on the market today for the given price” is an example. Personal truths reflect physiological,
psychological, experiential, and environmental qualities of the individual. For many religious beliefs furnish a large
supply of personal truths, Lutherans, Catholics, Muslims, and even Atheists all
included.
Practical truth. (similar to pragmatic) – a proposition that
when regarded as true leads to a successful outcome. A practical truth may describe a method for
fishing, that while pragmatic, is likely to lead to a successful outcome. The
early settlers at Jamestown were particularly pragmatic about survival, but had
no practical truths for fishing during the winter season.
Political truth. A proposition, usually in politics, for which
there is no supportable evidence, but one that could be true. It just isn’t, but is supporters are often
successful in convincing others of its truth.
Demagoguery is a also close relative of this type of truth. Another
type of political truth involves a governing body simply to declare some
proposition to be true; no further examination is required, wanted, and in fact
must be discouraged. For example, the
Indiana legislature some many decades ago voted that pi should be 3, not the value 3.14159… it actually is. Stalin decreed the Lysenko rejection
Mendelian genetics in favor of the s theories of the heritability of acquired
characteristics to be true. Currently,
the current climatic changes so very much studied are the results of
anthropogenic causes has been declared true – the science closed. Governments traditionally endorse political
truths owing to the power and simplicity the word “truth” confers upon any
proposition.
Relative truth. A proposition that is true relative to a
given situation or circumstances. It
may not be considered true in other geometries, times, and settings. It can
be a useful truth for a given period or situation, thus making is possibly pragmatic. One could argue that most “working” truths of
one era are posited (and proved) relative to the given knowledge base, ethics,
morality, and values of the time. The
relative truth should fit within any of the given theories or categories.
Selected truth. When a particular situation arises, a
particular reporting agency may honestly report within the correspondence
theory certain facts of the situation but ignore other facts that mitigate or
negate the actual truth. The reporting
press is particularly prone to reporting selected truths, the goal being to
establish as true events or “facts” with another agenda in mind. Concomitant with selected truths are
so-called partial truths and half truths, both of which imply
relating correctly some but not all of the facts pertaining to the situation at
hand. Demagoguery is an associate of
this type of truth.
Temporal truth. Many truths of one decade or generation must
be rescinded and discarded for the realities of a new set of
circumstances. This theory can fall
under the aegis of any of the above theories.
Facts may change, inconsistencies may arise, and the pragmatism of one
age may alter. History has shown us
that much of science and some of mathematics has enjoyed temporal truths. Hence temporal truths are relative.
Universal truth. Certain propositions cannot be denied by
anyone under any circumstance. Examples.
“The sun supplies the light and
heat that sustains the earth’s lifeforms.”
“The circumference of a circle divided by its diameter is the constant pi.”
The second could be suspect if we found ourselves living in a non
Euclidean geometry – which in fact may be the case in other parts of the
Universe. But for now, these and other propositions come
as close to absolute truth as we have. Universal truths are generally coherent and
correspondent. In many cases our repository of universal
truths rest with science and mathematics.
However, while the universal truth of a proposition may be
incontrovertible from a logical perspective, the premises upon which it was
derived are often the objects of criticism.
Negotiated truth.
A new truth constructed from former truths owing to changing conditions and
varied opinions. It is used to uncover and handle trauma, wherein the patients
may not be able to relate an incident as a life narrative. It is bringing to concordance or at least
understand the interplay between emotions and truth production. It is basically an application of emotions to
give meanings and then to refer to the meaning and further truth itself. For instance, one application would be to
apply the idea to “things we consider obvious” and therefore do not require
supporting evidence. This is similar to emotional truth. Using in political reporting, it permits
making claims without the burden of fact checking with reliance on emotional
clarity. (added 6/2/19)
References
c)
http://www.galilean-library.org/site/index.php/page/index.html/_/essays/introducingphilosophy/10-truth-r26
by Paul Newall.
d)
http://www.toktalk.net/2008/11/09/three-different-types-of-truth/ by Oliver Kim
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