A Realist Conception of Truth

by William P. Alston

Overview

One of the most important Anglo-American philosophers of our time here joins the current philosophical debate about the nature of truth. William P. Alston formulates and defends a realist conception of truth, which he calls alethic realism (from aletheia, Greek for truth). This idea holds that the truth value of a statement (belief or proposition) depends on whether what the statement is about is as the statement says it is. Michael Dummett and Hilary Putnam are two of the prominent and widely influential contemporary philosophers whose anti-realist ideas Alston attacks.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801484100
Publisher:	Cornell University Press
Publication date:	04/24/1997
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.81(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

William P. Alston is Professor of Philosophy Emeritus at Syracuse University. He is the author of several books, including The Reliability of Sense Perception, also from Cornell.

What People are Saying About This

Nicholas Wolterstorff

Easily the most penetrating and comprehensive analysis and critique of anti-realist theories of truth available, along with a vigorous defense of the realist account. With the publication of William Alston's book, the common dismissal of the correspondence theory of truth as outmoded has itself become outmoded!

Paul K. Moser

The most conceptually discriminating treatment of alethic realism available and a major contribution to the philosophical investigation of truth. This book will save many philosophers from the multitude of confusions in current philosophical literature on truth.

Editorial Reviews

Alston's book makes a distinguished contribution to thought about truth, both in its positive proposal and in its sustained criticism of epistemic conceptions.... His book is mandatory reading for anyone with even a slight interest in truth.

-- "The Philosophical Review"

From the standpoint of both general readers and professionals in the field this may be one of the best philosophical books to come along in some time.... The depth, the scope, and the clarity of Alston's analysis is matched only by that of the great philosophers with whom he contends. Highest recommendation for all collections.

-- "Choice"

Much in this book deserves agreement and applause; it is argued with care, subtlety, and good sense.

-- "The Journal of Philosophy"

This excellent, ludidly written study contains many valuable insights.

-- "Erkenntnis"

From the Publisher

Alston's book makes a distinguished contribution to thought about truth, both in its positive proposal and in its sustained criticism of epistemic conceptions.... His book is mandatory reading for anyone with even a slight interest in truth.

The Philosophical Review

This excellent, ludidly written study contains many valuable insights.

Erkenntnis

From the standpoint of both general readers and professionals in the field this may be one of the best philosophical books to come along in some time.... The depth, the scope, and the clarity of Alston's analysis is matched only by that of the great philosophers with whom he contends. Highest recommendation for all collections.

Choice

Much in this book deserves agreement and applause; it is argued with care, subtlety, and good sense.

The Journal of Philosophy

"Easily the most penetrating and comprehensive analysis and critique of anti-realist theories of truth available, along with a vigorous defense of the realist account. With the publication of William Alston's book, the common dismissal of the correspondence theory of truth as outmoded has itself become outmoded!"

Nicholas Wolterstorff

"The most conceptually discriminating treatment of alethic realism available and a major contribution to the philosophical investigation of truth. This book will save many philosophers from the multitude of confusions in current philosophical literature on truth."

Paul K. Moser