Modern Anti-Realism and Manufactured Truth (PDF)

First published in 1988, Modern Anti-Realism and Manufactured Truth examines the forms of anti-realism which have sprouted in analytic philosophy and addresses more directly the grander culture of anti-realism. No attempt is made in these pages to demonstrate the existence of a mind independent world. Part one of the book is devoted to a clarification and defense of Correspondence. In chapter 2, Correspondence is refined by distinguishing what is critical to it from other tenets with which philosophical debate has burdened it. Next in chapter 3, author looks at some of the most common complaints against Correspondence, as well as a novel objection propounded by Hillary Putnam. Chapter 4 deals with the two most prominent alternative truth theories- Coherence and Pragmatism. Chapter 5 details a version of Correspondence.

Part two of the book considers not standard theories of truth, but theories in which truth is epistemologized. Chapter 6 begins with an overview of certain generalized positions, including relativism about truth but most of the part two is devoted to the examination of three rather individualized attempts to epistemologize truth. The author concludes that once Correspondence is better understood and the genuine insights of these views are clarified, global realism survives intact. This is a must read for students of philosophy, political philosophy.