Single Idea 6085

[catalogued under 3. Truth / C. Correspondence Truth / 3. Correspondence Truth critique]

Full Idea

The correspondence theory has an air of triviality, and hence undeniability, but this is because it implicitly builds the idea of truth into the notion of correspondence.

Gist of Idea

The idea of truth is built into the idea of correspondence

Source

Colin McGinn (Logical Properties [2000], Ch.5)

Book Reference

McGinn,Colin: 'Logical Properties' [OUP 2003], p.91


A Reaction

If this is accepted, it is a really fatal objection to the theory. Russell tried to use the idea of 'congruency' between beliefs and reality, but that may be open to the same objection. McGinn is claiming that truth is essentially indefinable.