James Retson's Web Site on Epistemology

We live in a condition where we cannot help but be aware that there are a number of different construals, views which intelligent , reasonable people, of good will, can and do disagree on. We cannot help looking over our shoulder from time to time, looking sideways, living our faith also in condition of doubt and uncertainty

Epistemology

(from Greek - episteme-, "knowledge, science" + "logos") or theory of knowledge is the branch of philosophy concerned with the nature and scope (limitations) of knowledge.

The Nature of Truth

(Hunnex 1986)

1. Descriptive
2. Instrumental
3. Ontological
4. Existential.

Theories of Truth

1. Correspondance theory: A proposition is true if it accurately and adequately resembles or represents the reality it is supposed to describe. Epistemological realism - Aristotle, Locke and Russell .

2. Coherence theory: A proposition is true if oit "fits in" or is consistence with or is necessitated by the totality of which it is a part- Idealism Hegel

3.Pragmatic theory: A proposition is true if it works or satisfies or is capable of doing so

4. Social Construction Theory A proposition is true as constructed by social processes and is historical and cultural specific - Peter L. Berger & Thomas Luckmann The Social Construction of Reality .

Further Reading

Benson, Ophelia and Jeremy Stangroom (2006) Why Truth Matters New York:Continuum
Blackburn, Simon (2005) Truth, A Guide, Oxford, Oxford University
Goldman, Alvin (1986) Epistemology and Cognition, Cambridge: Harvard University
Hunnex, Milton D (1986) Chronological and Thematic Charts of Philosophies & Philosophers, Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House