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Single Idea 5418

[from 'Problems of Philosophy' by Bertrand Russell, in 7. Existence / D. Theories of Reality / 8. Facts / c. Facts and truths ]

Full Idea

If we imagine a world of mere matter, there would be no room for falsehood, and although it would contain what may be called 'facts', it would not contain any truths.

Gist of Idea

In a world of mere matter there might be 'facts', but no truths

Source

Bertrand Russell (Problems of Philosophy [1912], Ch.12)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'The Problems of Philosophy' [OUP 1995], p.70


A Reaction

Only a realist will buy a concept of mind-independent 'facts', but I am with Russell all the way here. We should not say "the truth is out there", but "the facts are out there". Facts are the target of thought, and truth is a relationship to the facts.