In this blog post, we will explore what truth is through three perspectives: sensory experience, knowledge systems, 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 statement is true.” So what do we mean by “truth”? Representative theories on this issue 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 is not simply a matter of knowledge, but is closely related to our way of life. The concept of truth can be interpreted differently depending on the era and culture, which suggests the need to understand different perspectives on truth.
Correspondence theory considers a judgment to be true when it corresponds to reality. The phrase, “If you don’t believe me, go and see for yourself,” clearly expresses this correspondence theory. When we use our senses to verify something, if it corresponds to reality, it is true, and if it does not, it is false. Correspondence theory is a common way of distinguishing between true and false in everyday life, and we believe that it allows us to determine whether a judgment corresponds to reality. Unless we have a special disability, we believe that we perceive objects as they are. For example, when we say that a desk is square, we believe that the representation of “square” perceived through our senses accurately reflects the objective nature of the desk.
Therefore, if the judgment “That desk is square” matches the content of our perception, then the judgment is true, and if not, it is false. This correspondence theory emphasizes the confirmation of facts through observation and experience when determining the authenticity of new claims. However, there are limitations to the correspondence theory. For example, it is difficult to assume that all perceptions always correspond to the truth, given that 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 unreasonable to explain all truths solely with correspondence theory, and other theories have been proposed to supplement it.
Consistency theory considers a judgment to be true when it conforms to the 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 statement 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 truth and used them as a basis for determining the 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.
In the history of science, whenever a new theory is proposed, an important criterion for evaluating it is how well it fits with existing theories. For example, when Einstein’s theory of relativity was first proposed, it conflicted with Newtonian mechanics, but it was ultimately accepted because it could explain a wider range of phenomena. In this way, the theory of consistency is useful for evaluating how new knowledge can be integrated with existing knowledge.
Practical theory considers a judgment to be true when it produces useful results. If a judgment is put into practice and the results are satisfactory or useful, then the judgment is true; if not, it is false.
For example, suppose a person judges that “self-directed learning methods foster creativity” and tries to apply such learning methods in practice. If such learning methods actually produce satisfactory results, such as fostering creativity, then the judgment is true; otherwise, it is false. This practical theory emphasizes the usefulness of results when determining the authenticity of new claims. Practical theory is particularly persuasive in practical contexts.
When individuals or societies accept a truth, they consider whether it will bring about practical benefits. This is often seen in ethical judgments. For example, the utilitarian approach of “the greatest happiness for the greatest number” can be understood in a similar context to the theory of practicality. From a practical point of view, truth is not just a theoretical or abstract concept, but a practical standard that affects real life.
