On Truth

Blackburn (Distinguished Research Professor, Univ. of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Think: A Compelling Introduction to Philosophy) offers an excellent, concise, and relatively accessible introduction to philosophical theories of truth. The text is divided into two sections: Part 1 presents an engaging and thorough look at five classic theories of truth, while Part 2 considers truth in religion, ethics, and other difficult topics. While reminiscent of James Rachels's The Elements of Moral Philosophy, the major difference between the two volumes is their treatment of threats to their subject. Most moral philosophers assume there are universal moral truths, but Rachels devotes early chapters to dissenting theories—cultural relativism and subjectivism—noting their strengths before turning to their (overwhelming) weaknesses. Blackburn does something similar in his preface, discussing and rejecting the idea of a posttruth society, despite recent U.S. and UK politics. Similar to Rachels, Blackburn concludes this is not a genuine threat to his subject, but unlike Rachels, this discussion feels like an afterthought. This reviewer would have liked to see chapters on posttruth and antirealist theories early in the text, if only to drive more nails in their coffins.