CORRESPONDENCE AND PRAGMATIC THEORIES OF TRUTH VERSUS PHILOSOPHY OF EZIOKWU-BU-NDU ON THE ISSUE OF OBJECTIVITY/ SUBJECTIVITY OF TRUTH: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Abstract

This study centers on a comparative analysis of correspondence and pragmatic theories of truth versus philosophy of 'Eziokwu-bu-ndu on the issue of objectivity/subjectivity of truth. Truth is very important in human existence. The search for the nature of truth is the major preoccupation of epistemologists. The issue of objectivity/subjectivity of truth is a very controversial issue among epistemologists. . The fundamental questions are: Is truth objective or subjective? Are there things that are universally true? Is truth dependent on individual's perspective or opinion? What is the position of correspondence and pragmatic theories of truth on the issue of objectivity/subjectivity of truth? What is the submission of philosophy of 'Eziokwu-bu-ndu' on the issue of objectivity/subjectivity of truth? Does philosophy of 'Eziokwu-bu-ndu agree or disagree with correspondence and pragmatic theories of truth on the issue of objectivity/subjectivity of truth? These and other related questions are the major concern of this study. Employing analytical and hermeneutical methods, this study undertakes a comparative analysis of correspondence and pragmatic theories of truth versus Philosophy of 'Eziokwu-bu-ndu' on the issue of objectivity/subjectivity of truth. It discovers that philosophy of 'Eziokwu-bu-ndu' agrees with correspondence theory of truth on the objectivity of truth, but totally disagrees with pragmatic theory of truth that upholds the subjectivity of truth. This study concludes that truth is intrinsically objective in nature, and that any theory of truth that upholds the subjectivity of truth distorts the nature of truth, which automatically implies the distortion of human existence. Hence, pragmatic theory of truth and other theories that uphold the subjectivity of truth are unacceptable.