What is the coherence theory of truth?

Answer

The coherence theory of truth, or coherentism, asserts that truth is found in its coherence with a specific set of propositions. In other words, we can determine that an idea is “true” when it logically fits into a broader, more intricate system of beliefs without any contradictions. When all the different components of the belief system are considered together, they cohere or come together, forming the basis for truth within that particular set of beliefs. According to the coherence theory of truth, falsehood can be recognized by the inconsistencies it introduces within an established framework of belief. Philosophers who have supported the coherence theory of truth include Leibniz, Spinoza, and Hegel.

To demonstrate how the coherence theory of truth operates, we can consider a child being informed that 2 + 2 = 4. To verify this statement, the child evaluates the idea based on the existing belief system: he trusts that his teacher is truthful, and he believes in the reliability of his experiences—each time his teacher adds two blocks to the existing two on the table, he counts four. Consequently, he accepts the validity of the statement that 2 + 2 = 4; this concept aligns with what he already acknowledges as true.

On the contrary, if a man is informed that there is a ghost in the house, he dismisses this information because it contradicts everything he already understands about life, death, and spirituality. The concept of ghosts and hauntings does not harmonize with the man’s current set of beliefs. Therefore, he deems the theory of ghosts to be untrue.

The coherence theory of truth differs from its primary rival theory, the correspondence theory of truth, which posits that truth is what corresponds to reality. Essentially, a truthful statement will depict things as they truly exist. Truth aligns with reality, regardless of whether it coheres with an individual’s belief system.

The coherence theory of truth is valuable as it elucidates how we typically process.New information, but it cannot truly determine if something is accurate or incorrect. Concerning the correspondence view, coherentism has at least two drawbacks. Initially, the assertion that truth is what coheres is presented as a statement that aligns with reality; hence, the coherentist must rely on the correspondence theory of truth just to articulate his beliefs.

Another flaw of the coherence perspective on truth is that a group of statements or propositions can be internally coherent even if they are untrue, meaning the propositions make a case for something that is false. For instance, a child might think that 2 and 1 represent different ways of expressing the same number, and his trusted teacher might use a trick to provide him with a confirming encounter. Consequently, the child might believe that 2 + 1 = 4, as it aligns with his existing beliefs, no matter how manipulated they are. However, according to the correspondence theory of truth, 2 + 1 can never equal 4.

Ultimately, the correspondence theory of truth surpasses the coherence theory of truth and any other proposed truth theories. The correspondence theory of truth is grounded in objectivity, while the coherence theory of truth is rooted in subjectivity. Furthermore, all non-correspondence perspectives are self-defeating. They imply a correspondence theory of truth because the argument being presented is claimed to correspond to what truly exists, namely reality.