Topics in Philosophy of Language: Truth


Course Description

This course will treat a few topics broached in the vast literature on truth. After a very brief overview of metaphysical theories about truth (correspondence theory, etc.) we will look at the formal work of Tarski and Kripke and discuss its importance. Afterwards, we will overview classic work on deflationism, gradually segueing into debates (often between deflationists and inflationists) about the role of truth in theories of rationality, meaning, assertion, and inference. We'll conclude by discussing whether and how we can make sense of truth-value gaps, relative truths, and normative truths.


Syllabus

Required Readings


Background/Optional Readings

If you read only one of these, it should be Dummett's paper.