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All 8 Flashcards — Truth
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Question
The correspondence theory of truth?
Answer
A statement is true when it matches the way the world actually is (the cat really is on the mat).
Question
The coherence theory of truth?
Answer
A statement is true when it fits consistently with your other beliefs — no contradictions.
Question
The pragmatic theory of truth?
Answer
A belief is true when acting on it works reliably in practice and gets results.
Question
Weak spot of correspondence?
Answer
We can never step outside our own minds to check the match between belief and reality directly.
Question
Weak spot of coherence?
Answer
A made-up story can be perfectly coherent inside itself yet still be false.
Question
Weak spot of pragmatism?
Answer
Some false beliefs are useful and some true facts are useless — 'works' and 'true' can come apart.
Question
Lao Tzu on truth?
Answer
The deepest truth isn't a statement matching facts — it's lived, a way of harmony (the Tao) you realise.
Question
One neat way to hold the theories together?
Answer
Correspondence says what truth IS; coherence and pragmatism are how we TEST for it.
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Topic 3.1 hub
Nature of knowledge
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