The principle of “correspondence” can help establish the truth or falsity of a statement or theory.
First, identify the set of elements or attributes that make up the statement or theory. For example, the statement “there is a white pickup truck parked on the driveway at the house where I live” consists of the following elements:
(1) there is a pickup truck; (2) the pickup truck is white in color; (3) the truck is parked on a driveway; (4) the driveway the truck is on corresponds to the address of the house where I live. These elements are individually necessary and collectively sufficient to establish the truth of the statement in this example.
Next, compare those elements or attributes with the way the world is: (1) go to the address of the house where I live; (2) walk out to the driveway; (3) confirm there is a pickup truck on the driveway; (4) confirm that the truck is parked; (5) confirm that the truck is white in color.
If we can verify all of the elements or attributes that are individually necessary and collectively sufficient for the truth of the statement in the example, then we can establish that the example statement is true: its elements correspond accurately to the world we experience.
CAUTION: Selecting or verifying an incomplete set of elements or attributes does not establish the truth of the statement or theory being considered. People sometimes select or “cherry-pick” an incomplete set of facts in order to prove something that they want to be true. Be sure to identify the complete set of facts that are necessary and sufficient for the truth of the statement you wish to prove.
First, identify the set of elements or attributes that make up the statement or theory. For example, the statement “there is a white pickup truck parked on the driveway at the house where I live” consists of the following elements:
(1) there is a pickup truck; (2) the pickup truck is white in color; (3) the truck is parked on a driveway; (4) the driveway the truck is on corresponds to the address of the house where I live. These elements are individually necessary and collectively sufficient to establish the truth of the statement in this example.
Next, compare those elements or attributes with the way the world is: (1) go to the address of the house where I live; (2) walk out to the driveway; (3) confirm there is a pickup truck on the driveway; (4) confirm that the truck is parked; (5) confirm that the truck is white in color.
If we can verify all of the elements or attributes that are individually necessary and collectively sufficient for the truth of the statement in the example, then we can establish that the example statement is true: its elements correspond accurately to the world we experience.
CAUTION: Selecting or verifying an incomplete set of elements or attributes does not establish the truth of the statement or theory being considered. People sometimes select or “cherry-pick” an incomplete set of facts in order to prove something that they want to be true. Be sure to identify the complete set of facts that are necessary and sufficient for the truth of the statement you wish to prove.
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