Realism and Truth

By Michael Devitt

Book Overview

In this provocative and wide-ranging book, Michael Devitt argues for a thoroughgoing realism about the common-sense and scientific physical world, and for a correspondence notion of truth. Furthermore, he argues that, contrary to received opinion, the metaphysical question of realism is distinct from, and prior to, any semantic question about truth. The book makes incisive responses to Putnam, Dummett, van Fraassen, and other major anti-realists. The new afterword includes an extensive discussion of the metaphysics of nonfactualism, and new thoughts on the need for truth and on the determination of reference.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0691072906
• ISBN13: 9780691072906
• Release Date: October 1984
• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Length: 264 Pages
• Weight: 1.26 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

A Starting Point

Devitt does a wonderful job in separating the Metaphysical and epistemological issues in the Realism/Anti-Realism debate. After reading Realism and Truth it is possible to see how so many people are sympathetic to Anti-Realism. It makes an excellent starting point for getting into the Anti-Realism literature.