Combining Philosophers

Ideas for H.Putnam/P.Oppenheim, Stephen Boulter and Paul O'Grady

unexpand these ideas     |    start again     |     choose another area for these philosophers

display all the ideas for this combination of philosophers


2 ideas

3. Truth / A. Truth Problems / 1. Truth
To say a relative truth is inexpressible in other frameworks is 'weak', while saying it is false is 'strong' [O'Grady]
     Full Idea: Weak alethic relativism holds that while a statement may be true in one framework, it is inexpressible in another. Strong alethic relativism is where a sentence is true relative to one framework, but false relative to another.
     From: Paul O'Grady (Relativism [2002], Ch.2)
     A reaction: The weak version will be Kuhn's 'incommensurability' of scientific theories, while the strong version will be full Protagorean relativism, saying all beliefs are true.
The epistemic theory of truth presents it as 'that which is licensed by our best theory of reality' [O'Grady]
     Full Idea: The epistemic theory of truth presents it as 'that which is licensed by our best theory of reality'.
     From: Paul O'Grady (Relativism [2002], Ch.2)
     A reaction: Dangerous nonsense. This leaves truth shifting as our theories change, it leads to different truths in different cultures, and no palpable falsehood in ignorant cultures. Don't give it house-room.