Methods of

Philosophizing
Theories of
(Part 2)

Truth
LESSON 6
 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.
 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
 1. The Correspondence Theory of
Truth:
The Correspondence Theory of Truth
would have sense perception or
experience as its source of knowledge.
 Fact vs. ● A fact cannot be
● Belief
A fact issome set either true or
false because it
of circumstances
simply the way the
in the world while world is.
a belief is an ● A belief, however,
opinion about what is capable of being
those facts are. true or false
because it may or
may not accurately
describe the world.
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.
 2.The Coherence Theory of Truth
● Deals with the consistency of 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.
 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.
3. The
Pragmatic
Theory of
The Pragramatic Theory
Truth
of Truth states that a
belief/statement is
true if it has a
useful
(pragmatic)PRACTICAL
application in the
world. If it does not,
Pragmatism as a philosophical
then it is not true. viewpoint is associated with
William James
 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.
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.
The Allegory of the
Cave
Let’s Analyze
What does this
story mean?

Knowledge comes from

the senses BUT
real knowledge is
born out of
philosophical
process.
Symbolis
m: Cave: Sun:
Ignorance Philosophical
misunderstanding truth and
knowledge

Reaction of
prisoners:
hesitation to
Shadows:
seek truth and
perceptions
knowledge
Symbolis
m:

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