Stephen Law

[from The Great Philosophers ] Peirce, like William James, is not always consistent in his remarks about truth and reality. What I present here is the “consensus theory” of truth that Pierce does, in several places, appear to advance. The consensus theory of truth What do we mean by truth and reality? These questions lie close to the heart of philosophy. Peirce offers some very surprising answers. Suppose several scientists are investigating the speed of light. They use different methods and experiments. But gradually, though their answers may diverge to begin with, they will gradually close in on the same answer. The more research they do, the closer to a consensus they come, until finally, agreement is reached. Now Peirce defines truth in the following way – it is what those who investigate a matter will all eventually agree on. The opinion which is fated to by all who investigate is what we mean by truth and the object represented by this opinion is the real. Note that...