Deflationism: A Theory of Truth
Deflationism offers a unique perspective on the concept of truth, arguing that it doesn’t possess a deep, inherent property. Instead, the term ‘true’ serves a more functional or linguistic role.
Key Concepts
- Redundancy Theory: The assertion ‘P is true’ is equivalent to asserting ‘P’ itself.
- Disquotational Theory: ‘True’ simply removes quotation marks from a statement.
- Minimalism: Truth is a minimal property, defined by its role in inference and assertion.
The Deflationary Argument
Deflationists contend that attempts to define truth in terms of correspondence, coherence, or pragmatic utility are misguided. They believe these theories ascribe a substantive property to truth that doesn’t exist. The function of ‘true’ is primarily to allow us to express agreement or to make generalizations about propositions that are difficult to state otherwise.
Illustrative Examples
Consider the statement: “‘Snow is white’ is true.” A deflationist would say this means no more than simply stating: “Snow is white.” The ‘is true’ adds no new information about the nature of truth itself.
Challenges and Misconceptions
A common misconception is that deflationism denies the existence of truth altogether. This is incorrect; deflationists acknowledge that statements can be true or false, but they deny that ‘truth’ signifies a profound philosophical property.
Applications in Logic and Language
Deflationary theories are influential in philosophy of language and logic, simplifying semantic theories and providing a basis for formal systems by avoiding complex metaphysical commitments.