Philosophy of Truth and Belief
The paper should be 6 double-spaced pages long (roughly 1800 words) and should be a focused responseto the topic questions below. No specific format just use in text citations!!!
Focus on Sober's Chapters 1 and 2. (Look especially closely at pages 3 & 16-17 in your textbook.) Sober explains that, as a general rule, believingsomething, no matter how strongly you believe it is not enough to make that belief true. (In fact, he argues that the phrase "it's true for me" makes no sense.)
You will analyze this topic. Explain the meanings of the terms truthand beliefas Sober defines these terms. Then, provide a summary of Sober's description of the relationshipbetween truth and belief. To explain the relationship fully, include an explanation of the difference between subjectivityand objectivity.
Once you have set out the definitions of truth and belief, explain what wishful thinkingis. Give at least one original example of wishful thinking to show your understanding of this concept. Then explain what aself-fulfilling prophecyis. Again, give at least one original example to show that you understand this concept well.
Last, offer your own thinking. Give a reasoned analysis of how you think the ideas of wishful thinking and self-fulfilling prophecies to the case of religious belief of faith.
Draft Editing Checklist:Does your paper:
Offer a clear explanation of Sober's use of the term truth
Offer a clear explanation of Sober's use of the term belief
Explain the dividing line between the subjective realm and the objective realm
Explain why the phrase "true for me" blurs the division between subjective and objective
Give examples that you invented to show what wishful thinking is
Give examples that you invented to show what a self-fulfilling prophecy is
Offer your own reasoned analysis of how self-fulfilling prophecies and wishful thinking apply to the case of faith
Terms to define:
Belief& Truth (short)
Subjective& Objective (short)
Faith (short)
Wishful Thinking (detailed)
Self-Fulfilling Prophecy (detailed).