What use the Realist for a Theory of Truth?

Abstract Recently, Hasok Chang has argued that we should adopt a pragmatic account of truth on which truth is constituted by practical success. Central to his argument is the claim that truth in this sense can be pursued and that other senses of truth can’t be. In this paper, I present a dilemma for Chang’s view. Either practical success constitutes truth in a way that implies infallibility—a conclusion that I’ll argue is untenable—or the argument from pursuit fails. I end by suggesting that scientific realism alone commits us to very little with respect to truth.

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Publication Details

Journal
Philosophy of Science
Published
2026-07-28
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1017/psa.2026.10268
Primary Topic
Philosophy and History of Science
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

What use the Realist for a Theory of Truth?

Corey Dethier
Philosophy of Science
Philosophy and History of Science
article

What use the Realist for a Theory of Truth?

Corey Dethier
article en

Abstract

Abstract Recently, Hasok Chang has argued that we should adopt a pragmatic account of truth on which truth is constituted by practical success. Central to his argument is the claim that truth in this sense can be pursued and that other senses of truth can’t be. In this paper, I present a dilemma for Chang’s view. Either practical success constitutes truth in a way that implies infallibility—a conclusion that I’ll argue is untenable—or the argument from pursuit fails. I end by suggesting that scientific realism alone commits us to very little with respect to truth.

Philosophy of Science
Clemson University (US)
Peace, Justice and strong institutions
Openalex Percentile: Top 2%
Philosophy and History of Science
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