In this blog post, we will explore the nature of truth from three perspectives: sensory experience, a system of knowledge, and practical results.
We often use the words “truth” or ‘true’ in our daily lives and academic activities. For example, we say, “That theory is true,” or “That claim is true.” So what do we mean by “truth”? Representative theories on this question include correspondence theory, coherence theory, and pragmatism.
The process of seeking truth is deeply connected to the fundamental human endeavor to understand the world.
This process plays an important role in philosophy, science, and everyday thinking, and we constantly feel the desire to seek truth. The question of what truth is goes beyond a mere question of knowledge; it is closely related to the way we live our lives. The concept of truth can be interpreted differently depending on the era and culture, suggesting the need to understand various perspectives on truth.
Correspondence theory holds that a judgment is true when it corresponds to reality. The statement, “If you don’t believe me, go and see for yourself,” clearly reflects this correspondence theory. If a statement is confirmed through the senses and corresponds to reality, it is true; otherwise, it is false. Correspondence theory is a common approach in everyday life for distinguishing between truth and falsehood, as it allows us to determine whether a judgment corresponds to reality. We generally believe that we perceive objects as they are, without any special obstacles. For example, when we say that a desk is square, we think that the mental representation of “square” perceived through the senses accurately reflects the objective property of the desk.
Therefore, if the judgment “The desk is square” matches the content of perception, the judgment is true; otherwise, it is false. This correspondence theory emphasizes the verification of facts through observation or experience when determining the truth of new claims. However, the correspondence theory also has limitations. For example, it is difficult to assume that all perceptions always correspond to truth, as our senses can sometimes be distorted.
Optical illusions and biased cognitive processes show that what we observe may differ from reality. Therefore, it may be difficult to explain all truths using correspondence theory alone, and other theories have been proposed to complement it.
Consistency theory considers a judgment to be true when it conforms to an existing knowledge system. It assumes that a knowledge system that is considered to be true already exists, and if a judgment or claim fits into that system, it is true, and if not, it is false.
For example, if someone says, “That claim about the motion of objects is false because it contradicts Newton’s laws of motion,” that person has accepted Newton’s laws of motion as true and used them as a standard to determine truth. This correspondence theory emphasizes consistency with existing theoretical systems when determining the truth of new claims. Correspondence theory plays an important role in scientific theories and philosophical discussions.
Throughout the history of science, whenever a new theory is proposed, how well it aligns with existing theories becomes an important criterion for evaluation. For example, when Einstein’s theory of relativity was first proposed, it conflicted with Newtonian mechanics in some aspects, but it was ultimately accepted because it could explain a broader range of phenomena. In this way, the coherence theory is useful for evaluating how new knowledge integrates with existing knowledge.
The pragmatism theory considers a judgment to be true if it produces useful results. If a judgment is put into practice and the results are satisfactory or useful, then the judgment is true; otherwise, it is false.
For example, suppose a person judges that “self-directed learning methods foster creativity” and actually applies such learning methods. If such learning methods actually foster creativity or produce satisfactory results, then the judgment is true; otherwise, it is false. This pragmatism emphasizes the usefulness of results when determining the truth of new claims. Pragmatism is particularly persuasive in practical contexts.
When individuals or societies accept a truth, they consider whether it brings about practically beneficial results. This is also frequently seen in ethical judgments, such as the utilitarian approach of “the greatest happiness for the greatest number,” which can be understood in a similar context to pragmatism. From a pragmatic perspective, truth is not merely a theoretical or abstract concept but a practical standard that influences real life.
