A Short History of Truth

Consolations for a Post-Truth World

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Epistemology
Cover of the book A Short History of Truth by Julian Baggini, Quercus Publishing
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Author: Julian Baggini ISBN: 9781786488909
Publisher: Quercus Publishing Publication: September 21, 2017
Imprint: Quercus Publishing Language: English
Author: Julian Baggini
ISBN: 9781786488909
Publisher: Quercus Publishing
Publication: September 21, 2017
Imprint: Quercus Publishing
Language: English

How did we find ourselves in a "post-truth" world of "alternative facts"? And can we get out of it? A Short History of Truth sets out to answer these questions by looking at the complex history of truth and falsehood. It identifies ten types of supposed truth and explains how easily each can become the midwife of falsehood. There is no species of truth that we can rely on unquestioningly, but that does not mean the truth can never be established. Attaining truth is an achievement we need to work for, and each chapter will end up with a truth we can have some confidence in.

This history builds into a comprehensive and clear explanation of why truth is now so disputed by exploring 10 kinds of truth:

  1. Eternal truths.
  2. Authoritative truths.
  3. Esoteric truths.
  4. Reasoned truths.
  5. Evidence-based truths.
  6. Creative truths.
  7. Relative truths.
  8. Powerful truths
  9. Moral truths.
  10. Holistic truths.

Baggini provides us with all we need to restore faith in the value and possibility of truth as a social enterprise. Truth-seekers need to be sceptical not cynical, autonomous not atomistic, provisional not dogmatic, open not empty, demanding not unreasonable.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

How did we find ourselves in a "post-truth" world of "alternative facts"? And can we get out of it? A Short History of Truth sets out to answer these questions by looking at the complex history of truth and falsehood. It identifies ten types of supposed truth and explains how easily each can become the midwife of falsehood. There is no species of truth that we can rely on unquestioningly, but that does not mean the truth can never be established. Attaining truth is an achievement we need to work for, and each chapter will end up with a truth we can have some confidence in.

This history builds into a comprehensive and clear explanation of why truth is now so disputed by exploring 10 kinds of truth:

  1. Eternal truths.
  2. Authoritative truths.
  3. Esoteric truths.
  4. Reasoned truths.
  5. Evidence-based truths.
  6. Creative truths.
  7. Relative truths.
  8. Powerful truths
  9. Moral truths.
  10. Holistic truths.

Baggini provides us with all we need to restore faith in the value and possibility of truth as a social enterprise. Truth-seekers need to be sceptical not cynical, autonomous not atomistic, provisional not dogmatic, open not empty, demanding not unreasonable.

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