correspondence theory: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Academic, Philosophical
Quick answer
What does “correspondence theory” mean?
The philosophical doctrine that truth consists in a relationship of correspondence between a belief, statement, or proposition and an actual state of affairs in the world.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The philosophical doctrine that truth consists in a relationship of correspondence between a belief, statement, or proposition and an actual state of affairs in the world.
1. A theory of truth where a statement is true if it matches or corresponds to reality. 2. In linguistics and semiotics, it can refer more broadly to theories about the relationship between signs (like words) and the objects they represent.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or spelling differences. The concept is discussed identically in academic discourse across both varieties.
Connotations
Identical academic connotations.
Frequency
Exclusively academic/philosophical; extremely rare in general discourse in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “correspondence theory” in a Sentence
Correspondence theory holds that...Correspondence theory is often contrasted with...A major objection to correspondence theory is...The central tenet of correspondence theory is...to argue for/against correspondence theoryVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “correspondence theory” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Philosophers who correspond truth to facts support the theory.
- His view corresponds well with a realist theory of truth.
American English
- The statement corresponds to reality, per the theory.
- Their analysis doesn't correspond with the basic tenets of correspondence theory.
adverb
British English
- He argued, correspondingly, that truth must mirror the world.
American English
- The theory claims, correspondingly, that beliefs are true when they fit the facts.
adjective
British English
- He offered a correspondence-theoretic account of meaning.
- The correspondence-theory approach has been influential.
American English
- She outlined a correspondence-theory perspective.
- This is a classic correspondence-theory problem.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Central term in epistemology, metaphysics, and philosophy of language. Example: 'The essay critiques the naive correspondence theory of truth.'
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Used in analytic philosophy, critical theory, and sometimes in computer science regarding semantic models.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “correspondence theory”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “correspondence theory”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “correspondence theory”
- Using it as a plural ('correspondence theories' is possible but rare). Confusing it with 'correspondence' in the sense of letters/emails. Using it outside a philosophical context.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
That truth is a relationship of 'correspondence' or 'matching' between a belief or statement and an actual state of affairs in the world.
Aristotle (with his 'to say of what is that it is...' formulation), Bertrand Russell, and the early Ludwig Wittgenstein (in his 'picture theory' of language).
It is difficult to define the nature of the 'correspondence relation' itself in a non-metaphorical and non-circular way.
Rarely. The term is highly specialised. The general concept of 'matching reality' is common-sense, but the specific theory is a technical subject within academic philosophy.
The philosophical doctrine that truth consists in a relationship of correspondence between a belief, statement, or proposition and an actual state of affairs in the world.
Correspondence theory is usually formal, academic, philosophical in register.
Correspondence theory: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɒr.ɪˈspɒn.dəns ˌθɪə.ri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkɔːr.əˈspɑːn.dəns ˌθɪr.i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a letter (correspondence) accurately describing an event. The 'theory' says truth is like that letter—it must match the facts.
Conceptual Metaphor
TRUTH IS A MAP OF REALITY; TRUTH IS A MIRROR OF THE WORLD; LANGUAGE IS A PICTURE.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a primary rival to the correspondence theory of truth?