Realism and Truth - Couverture souple

Devitt, Michael

Couverture souple

ISBN 10 : 0631175512 ISBN 13 : 9780631175513

Editeur : Blackwell Publishers, 1991

Synopsis

What is realism about the external world? A striking aspect of the current debate is the lack of a clear answer to this metaphysical question. The question is commonly conflated with a semantic question about truth. The book sharply distinguishes these questions and argues, from a naturalistic perspective, that the metaphysical one is prior. It advocates a thorough-going realism about the common-sense and scientific physical world. From this basis, it puts forward a correspondence notion of truth, explained in terms of reference, which is in turn explained by a causal theory. It criticizes relativist and constructionist views held by Kuhn and many others (structuralists and post-structuralists). It has detailed criticisms of van Fraassen, Davidson, Rorty, Putnam, Dummett, and others. This new edition has been thoroughly revised and includes a new chapter on Rorty; an expanded discussion on relativism and Kantian constructionism, and truth; and a defence of the role of inference to the best explanation in arguing for realism.

A propos du livre

Présentation de l'éditeur

In this provocative and wide-ranging book, Michael Devitt argues for a thoroughgoing realism about the common-sense and scientific physical world, and for a correspondence notion of truth. Furthermore, he argues that, contrary to received opinion, the metaphysical question of realism is distinct from, and prior to, any semantic question about truth. The book makes incisive responses to Putnam, Dummett, van Fraassen, and other major anti-realists. The new afterword includes an extensive discussion of the metaphysics of nonfactualism, and new thoughts on the need for truth and on the determination of reference.

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Blackwell Publishers
• Date d'édition: 1991
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 0631175512
• ISBN 13: 9780631175513
• Reliure: Broché
• Numéro d'édition: 2
• Nombre de pages: 272
• Coordonnées du fabricant: non disponible
• Personne responsable: non disponible