About the book
Why truth is important in our everyday lives.
Why does truth matter when politicians so easily sidestep it and intellectuals scorn it as irrelevant? Why be concerned over an abstract idea like truth when something that isn't true—for example, a report of Iraq's attempting to buy materials for nuclear weapons—gets the desired result: the invasion of Iraq? In this engaging and spirited book, Michael Lynch argues that truth does matter, in both our personal and political lives. Lynch explains that the growing cynicism over truth stems in large part from our confusion over what truth is. \"We need to think our way past our confusion and shed our cynicism about the value of truth,\" he writes. \"Otherwise, we will be unable to act with integrity, to live authentically, and to speak truth to power.\"
True to Life defends four simple claims: that truth is objective; that it is good to believe what is true; that truth is a goal worthy of inquiry; and that truth can be worth caring about for its own sake, not just because it gets us other things we want. In defense of these \"truisms about truth\", Lynch diagnoses the sources of our cynicism and argues that many contemporary theories of truth cannot adequately account for its value. He explains why we should care about truth, arguing that truth and its pursuit are part of living a happy life, important in our personal relationships and for our political values.
Editions of True to Life
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780262122672
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780262622011
- EBook
- ISBN 9780262263580
- EBook
- ISBN 9780262278706
Read an Excerpt
Why truth is important in our everyday lives.
Why does truth matter when politicians so easily sidestep it and intellectuals scorn it as irrelevant? Why be concerned over an abstract idea like truth when something that isn't true—for example, a report of Iraq's attempting to buy materials for nuclear weapons—gets the desired result: the invasion of Iraq? In this engaging and spirited book, Michael Lynch argues that truth does matter, in both our personal and political lives. Lynch explains that the growing cynicism over truth stems in large part from our confusion over what truth is. \"We need to think our way past our confusion and shed our cynicism about the value of truth,\" he writes. \"Otherwise, we will be unable to act with integrity, to live authentically, and to speak truth to power.\"
True to Life defends four simple claims: that truth is objective; that it is good to believe what is true; that truth is a goal worthy of inquiry; and that truth can be worth caring about for its own sake, not just because it gets us other things we want. In defense of these \"truisms about truth\", Lynch diagnoses the sources of our cynicism and argues that many contemporary theories of truth cannot adequately account for its value. He explains why we should care about truth, arguing that truth and its pursuit are part of living a happy life, important in our personal relationships and for our political values.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is True to Life about?
Why truth is important in our everyday lives.
Why does truth matter when politicians so easily sidestep it and intellectuals scorn it as irrelevant? Why be concerned over an abstract idea like truth when something that isn't true—for example, a report of Iraq's attempting to buy materials for nuclear weapons—gets the desired result: the invasion of Iraq? In this engaging and spirited book, Michael Lynch argues that truth does matter, in both our personal and political lives. Lynch explains that the growing cynicism over truth stems in large part from our confusion over what truth is. \"We need to think our way past our confusion and shed our cynicism about the value of truth,\" he writes. \"Otherwise, we will be unable to act with integrity, to live authentically, and to speak truth to power.\"
True to Life defends four simple claims: that truth is objective; that it is good to believe what is true; that truth is a goal worthy of inquiry; and that truth can be worth caring about for its own sake, not just because it gets us other things we want. In defense of these \"truisms about truth\", Lynch diagnoses the sources of our cynicism and argues that many contemporary theories of truth cannot adequately account for its value. He explains why we should care about truth, arguing that truth and its pursuit are part of living a happy life, important in our personal relationships and for our political values.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in True to Life?
The Arts > Photography and photographs
Where can I read a sample of True to Life?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780262122672
Who is/are the Author/s of the book True to Life?
Michael P. Lynch
Who is the Publisher of the book True to Life?
MIT Press
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
True to Life is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780262122672) and paperback(ISBN 9780262622011) and ebook(ISBN 9780262263580) and ebook(ISBN 9780262278706)
Where can I buy True to Life online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy True to Life from below
Where can I buy True to Life?