Major Theories of Truth and Knowledge Limits

Major Theories of Truth

Truth as Correspondence

Considers a proposition to be true when there is a match between what the proposition expresses and the reality to which it refers.

Truth as Coherence

A proposition is true if it does not contradict the rest of the accepted propositions. The coherence of the new proposition with those we already know to be true indicates that this new one is also true.

Truth as Success (Pragmatism)

Considers a proposition to be true when it is useful and therefore leads to success. The truth of a proposition coincides with its consequences. A proposition is true if its implementation has positive results.

Limits of Knowledge

Dogmatism

Admits the possibility of knowing things in their true being or in themselves, and the reality of this knowledge in daily and common dealings with things. The sophists, who understood the relationship between subject and object in knowledge as a problem, denied all objective knowledge. They were famous for teaching people how to debate for and against the same topic.

Skepticism

A position contrary to dogmatism. This philosophical current believes there is nothing clear or absolutely unquestionable in knowledge because they find error and inaccuracy everywhere.

Criticism

A middle position between dogmatism and skepticism. This philosophical position considers that knowledge is possible and seeks to derive reasons and rigorously establish its foundations.

Relativism

A position closely related to skepticism, essentially negative on the problem of the possibility of knowledge. For relativism, there are no unconditional, objective truths, absolutely valid. All truth and all knowledge is limited, restricted, and conditioned by multiple factors, making what is valid and true in one context potentially false in others. Truth is only valid in a certain historical, personal, and cultural context. What is true in one society is false in another.

Perspectivism

A philosophical position between relativism and dogmatism. Truth is not impossible even though the individual point of view deforms it, nor is a supra-individual point of view sought to arrive at truth.