Theories of Truth: An Introduction

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From the Pre-Socratics to the 21st century, Theories of Truth: An Introduction provides a clear, introductory account of the major theories of truth. Starting with a defense of the importance of truth in reflection, this introduction guides readers through correspondence, coherence, deflationist and pragmatic theories to the connection between truth and rationality. Without assuming prior knowledge, it thematically introduces the key theories and explains the challenges and objections that exist as well as the links that can be made with other areas of human inquiry. Informative and critical, each chapter covers a single theory and presents a robust coverage of the debates, accessible descriptions of technicalities and an accurate account of the history. For undergraduates looking to understand the place, development and importance of truth in either epistemology specifically or philosophy in general, Theories of Truth: An Introduction offers a straightforward understanding of truth, clarifying both the history of the theories and the current debates about them.

Reviews

Mostellers book is a terrific introduction to the complex metaphysical controversies involved in getting clear about the nature of truth. It manages to combine accessibility with philosophical sophistication. The reader not only gets a thorough introduction to the history of philosophical thought about how to understand truth, but also a vigorous defense of a version of a hard-core realism in the form of a theory of truth as correspondence. -- Richard Fumerton, Professor of Philosophy, University of Iowa, USA
Combining an overriding interest in the truth with a fair and precise historical overview, Mosteller draws much from Husserl and phenomenology as well as from analytic and classical philosophers. Highly recommended to every undergraduate student of philosophy, to every historian of philosophy, and to everyone who wishes to form a well-founded philosophical conviction about truth - and above all and more than that: to everyone who desires to know the truth about truth. -- Josef Seifert, Professor of Philosophy at the International Academy of Philosophy-Instituto de Filosofa Edith Stein, Granada, Spain

Author Bio

Timothy M. Mosteller is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at California Baptist University, USA.