Quiz on the Pragmatic Theory of Truth

Who is generally recognized for first proposing a pragmatic theory of truth?

• William James

• John Dewey

• F.C.S. Schiller

• C.S. Peirce

Answer explanation

C.S. Peirce is generally recognized for first proposing a pragmatic theory of truth, emphasizing that the truth of beliefs is determined by their practical consequences and applications.

What does William James suggest about true beliefs?

• They are always indefeasible

• They are never useful

• They are satisfying beliefs

• They must correspond to reality

Answer explanation

William James emphasizes that true beliefs are those that provide satisfaction and fulfillment to individuals, rather than merely being accurate or useful. Thus, the correct choice is that they are satisfying beliefs.

According to Peirce, what is the practical difference of describing a belief as true?

• It is widely accepted

• It is creative

• It withstands future inquiry

• It is useful

Answer explanation

According to Peirce, describing a belief as true means it can withstand future inquiry, indicating its robustness and reliability over time, unlike beliefs that may be merely accepted or useful.

What term does John Dewey use instead of 'truth' in his later writings?

• Warranted assertibility

• Verification

• Utility

• Consensus

Answer explanation

In his later writings, John Dewey replaces the term 'truth' with 'warranted assertibility', emphasizing that beliefs should be justified based on evidence and reasoning rather than an absolute notion of truth.

Which philosopher is associated with the idea that truth is defined in terms of utility?

• C.S. Peirce

• William James

• John Dewey

• Hilary Putnam

Answer explanation

William James is associated with pragmatism, which defines truth in terms of utility and practical consequences. His philosophy emphasizes that the value of an idea is determined by its effectiveness in real-world applications.

What is a common criticism of pragmatic theories of truth?

• They ignore scientific inquiry

• They focus too much on correspondence

• They equate truth with utility

• They are too abstract

Answer explanation

A common criticism of pragmatic theories of truth is that they equate truth with utility, suggesting that what is true is merely what is useful or beneficial, which can undermine objective standards of truth.

What does Peirce argue about the correspondence theory of truth?

• It is overly abstract

• It is the only valid theory

• It is universally accepted

• It is the best theory

Answer explanation

Peirce critiques the correspondence theory of truth for being overly abstract, suggesting it lacks practical applicability and fails to account for the complexities of truth in real-world contexts.

What is the main focus of pragmatic theories of truth?

• The nature of reality

• The metaphysical project

• The practical function of truth

• The correspondence of statements

Answer explanation

Pragmatic theories of truth emphasize the practical function of truth in guiding actions and beliefs, rather than focusing solely on the nature of reality or correspondence of statements.

What does Dewey believe about the relationship between truth and scientific inquiry?

• Truth is independent of inquiry

• Truth is irrelevant to inquiry

• Truth is always subjective

• Truth is a product of inquiry

Answer explanation

Dewey asserts that truth emerges through scientific inquiry, meaning it is not fixed or independent but rather shaped by the processes of investigation and experimentation.

Which of the following is NOT a feature of pragmatic theories of truth?

• Emphasis on scientific verification

• Strict adherence to metaphysical definitions

• Focus on practical implications

• Rejection of correspondence theories

Answer explanation

Pragmatic theories of truth prioritize practical implications and scientific verification, while rejecting strict metaphysical definitions. Thus, 'Strict adherence to metaphysical definitions' is NOT a feature of these theories.