Conclusion Chapter 14 TOK II

3 Theories Regarding Truth (1) Correspondence Theory – truth is as it appears to be – facts are facts. (1) Correspondence Theory – truth is as it appears to be – facts are facts. Criticism (s) Criticism (s) 1. Problem with facts – Are you really sure that Paris is the capital of France? 2. Correspondence is never perfect – truth is never exactly up the actual experience 3. Truth cannot be determined in isolation – can’t you perception deceive you? What you see must fit in your coherence

3 Theories Regarding Truth (2) Coherence Theory – a proposition is true if it fits our overall set of beliefs (2) Coherence Theory – a proposition is true if it fits our overall set of beliefs Criticism (s) Criticism (s) 1. Coherence is not sufficient for truth – some things make sense but they are not the truth (Oliver Stone’s J.F.K theory) 2. Coherence cannot exclude crazy beliefs – moon missions were faked to make the Earth look round 3. 3) Coherence may lead to complacency – reject what doesn’t fit (counterintuitive in science for progress).

3 Theories Regarding Truth (3) Pragmatic Theory – a proposition is true if it is useful or works in practice. (3) Pragmatic Theory – a proposition is true if it is useful or works in practice. Criticism (s) Criticism (s) 1. A statement can be useful but no true and true but not useful - (not all laws apply equally nor are all concepts practically used) 2. This theory implies that two contradictory beliefs can be both true – Both Christians and Muslims think their God is the correct one. 3. “Useful” and “works in practice are too vague to give us a workable theory of truth – we pick and choose the right and workable solution sin some situations but not others

Can we KNOW the Truth? Our picture of the world is always an interpretation, and we can never be sure that our interpretation is true. Our picture of the world is always an interpretation, and we can never be sure that our interpretation is true.

Are We Getting Closer to the Truth? Maybe, but what if the laws of physics broke down tomorrow? Maybe, but what if the laws of physics broke down tomorrow? Can we really ever discover the truth? Can we really ever discover the truth?

Beyond Dogmatism and Relativism Dogmatists – are convinced of THEIR version of the truth. Dogmatists – are convinced of THEIR version of the truth. Hitler, Stalin, Hussein were dogmatists Hitler, Stalin, Hussein were dogmatists Relativism – we must be careful here Relativism – we must be careful here There are some things we can’t tolerate and “live and let live” – moral truths exist. There are some things we can’t tolerate and “live and let live” – moral truths exist.

Arguments AGAINST Relativism 1) The fact that we know something to be true does not mean that there is no truth of the matter 1) The fact that we know something to be true does not mean that there is no truth of the matter 2) Statements such as “there is no truth” are self refuting. 2) Statements such as “there is no truth” are self refuting. 3) Relativism indices truth to such things as personal preferences, persuasion, and power 3) Relativism indices truth to such things as personal preferences, persuasion, and power

Degrees of Truth Maybe truth is an ideal – is unattainable like all ideals but does give us a direction for the quest for knowledge. Maybe truth is an ideal – is unattainable like all ideals but does give us a direction for the quest for knowledge. Truths may be replaced by future truths, but it gives us a starting point for bringing us closer to the REAL truth. Truths may be replaced by future truths, but it gives us a starting point for bringing us closer to the REAL truth.

Degrees of Truth The Cubist Theory of Truth – the more perspectives we have on a subject or person, the closer we get to the truth. The Cubist Theory of Truth – the more perspectives we have on a subject or person, the closer we get to the truth. Empiricism in science Empiricism in science Diaries of soldiers describing the same battle Diaries of soldiers describing the same battle Different perspectives ENRICH our understanding of the UNDERLYING truth. Different perspectives ENRICH our understanding of the UNDERLYING truth.

What Price for Truth? Do we naturally see the truth? Do we naturally see the truth? Even though TRUTH often stares us right in the face we… Even though TRUTH often stares us right in the face we… 1. Put up defense mechanisms – selective perception 2. Make rationalizations – make up bad reasons to justify beliefs 3. Practice communal reinforcement – mix with people who have the same beliefs purposely.

What Price for Truth? Some things we don’t want to know – ignorance is bliss. Some things we don’t want to know – ignorance is bliss. Truth avoided in the short-run may come back to haunt you in the long-run. Truth avoided in the short-run may come back to haunt you in the long-run. An eating disorder An eating disorder Taking on more than you can handle Taking on more than you can handle Ignoring a medical problem Ignoring a medical problem

Should We Seek the Truth? Some say to follow the truth no matter where it leads. Some say to follow the truth no matter where it leads. Knowledge is not free – it has an investment of time and money that could be spent elsewhere. Knowledge is not free – it has an investment of time and money that could be spent elsewhere. Knowledge can be dangerous (science can be a double-edged sword. Knowledge can be dangerous (science can be a double-edged sword.

Should We Seek the Truth? Technology IS and WILL BE the next big hurdle in the search for knowledge (ethically speaking) Technology IS and WILL BE the next big hurdle in the search for knowledge (ethically speaking) Nuclear physics Nuclear physics Nanotechnology Nanotechnology DNA research DNA research Think about how each of these is great and problematic in the application of that knowledge. Think about how each of these is great and problematic in the application of that knowledge.

Wisdom Good Judgment – knowledge, experience, and practical engagement together. Good Judgment – knowledge, experience, and practical engagement together. Breadth of Vision – We must see all perspectives to solve the world’s problems. Breadth of Vision – We must see all perspectives to solve the world’s problems. Self-knowledge – we must have to courage to seek knowledge to question our current convictions to improve ourselves. Self-knowledge – we must have to courage to seek knowledge to question our current convictions to improve ourselves.

Wisdom Responsibility – we must practice patience before make knowledge claims (be sure of what we profess – intellectual virtues must be practiced. Responsibility – we must practice patience before make knowledge claims (be sure of what we profess – intellectual virtues must be practiced. Honesty Honesty Perseverance Perseverance Courage Courage Humility Humility Tolerance Tolerance

Wisdom Intellectual humility – We must not be arrogant is our knowledge – a sense of wonder keeps things in a fresh perspective and deletes biases created by arrogance. Intellectual humility – We must not be arrogant is our knowledge – a sense of wonder keeps things in a fresh perspective and deletes biases created by arrogance. The world is more than a collection of knowledge as a dull catalog of facts to be examined (tested over) The world is more than a collection of knowledge as a dull catalog of facts to be examined (tested over)

READ!! Ghosts p. 463 Ghosts p. 463 Is life merely made up of ghosts? Is life merely made up of ghosts? Integrity p. 465 Integrity p. 465 What is intellectual integrity? What is intellectual integrity? What 3 things must a person not do or do to show intellectual integrity? What 3 things must a person not do or do to show intellectual integrity?