Between Deflationism & Correspondence Theory

Between Deflationism & Correspondence Theory by Matthew McGrath, published by Taylor & Francis in 2000, is a scholarly work comprising 140 pages. This book presents McGrath’s dissertation, written at Brown University between 1996 and 1998, and serves as the initial stage of a larger exploration into the nature of truth. It delves into the correspondence theory, which posits that a proposition is true if it aligns with a fact in the world, and contrasts it with deflationism, which views truth as a tool for enhancing a language’s expressive capabilities.

Readers will find a thorough examination of these philosophical theories, as McGrath initially aims to defend the correspondence theory against its deflationist critics. However, he ultimately arrives at a position he terms “weak deflationism.” This work contributes to discussions in philosophy, epistemology, and the history of philosophical thought, providing insights into the complexities surrounding the concept of truth.