SENIOR SEMINAR: THEORIES OF TRUTH
PHIL 483, Sec. 1001: MW 11:30am-12:45pm in CEB 240
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Spring 2024
Professor: James Woodbridge
email address:
Course Website: http://jwood.faculty.unlv.edu/unlv/Phil483S24.htm
Zoom Office Hours: M 2:30pm-4pm, T 12:30pm-2pm, and by appointment
Office: CDC 426
Dept. Phone: 895-3433
SECOND PAPER TOPIC
Write a 6-8 page (2000-2600 word) paper fulfilling the tasks assigned below.
Your paper is due via WebCampus/Canvas, through the Turnitin.com program linked to the Assignment listing there, before midnight on Friday, May 10th. [Note the new, later due date!] The file that you submit to Turnitin should have the following format for its filename: yourstudentnumber.PHIL483S24.paper2.docx. So that I can grade "blind", your name should not appear anywhere on your paper (e.g., not in a header). Finally, you must submit a .docx (or .docm or .doc) file so that I can use Word to make comments on it. If you do not use Word, you must convert your file to this format before submitting it.
Topic:
As with the First Paper, there are several different options for what you might argue for in your Second Paper, but there is a general path you should travel before reaching your conclusion. You goal is to champion one of the theories we have considered in the second half of the course as the best approach to the topic of truth from those options (so, the views of Lynch; Edwards; Ferrari, et al.; Quine; Grover (which extends Ramsey and Strawson); and Horwich). The first three are pluralists, and your first task is to explain in your own words which pluralist theory of truth is best. Go into detail about the central tenets of that theory and cover enough about the other pluralist views to provide reasons for holding that the view you pick is better than they are. (The articles by Tappolet can help here.) The next three views (taking Grover's view as a refinement of Ramsey's and Strawson's ideas) present the main different contemporary deflationary approaches, so your second task is to explain in your own words which version of deflationism is best. Again, go into detail about the central tenets of that theory and cover enough about the other deflationary accounts to provide reasons for holding that the view you pick is better than they are. (Kirkham, Chapter 10 can help here.) Be especially clear about the major shift in focus from traditional theories (including pluralist views) that deflationary theories make. Finally, by considering the main objections they face and how well they deal with them, discuss whether you think your preferred pluralist theory or your preferred deflationary account is the better view on the topic of truth overall. Present arguments for preferring one approach/theory over the other. (In addition to Kirkham, the articles by Alston, Tappolet, and Devitt, and the Introductions to Part V and Part VII from the Lynch, et al. anthology can help here.)
Be sure to look at my Paper Requirements and Policies and check this Numbered Writing Comments Sheet to be aware of various writing infelicities that you should avoid.
Keep your paper within the page limit!