On Truth

Simon Blackburn's On Truth is a small introduction to the big topic of truth, and it does its job admirably. An informal, sometimes funny take on what we mean when we say something is true, the book swiftly and effectively lays out roughly 400 years of philosophy in its first half, before debating the nature of truth in art, ethics, religion and science in its back pages.

 
Blackburn, a professor of philosophy at Cambridge, begins by placing his subject in its modern context, where "fake news" and disinformation have become relevant topics in daily life. For him, a robust defense of truth is more important than ever, and he occasionally harks back to this initial argument to remind the reader how much he believes is at stake. That being said, the prose is pretty light and breezy, even as it delves into some serious topics. Blackburn, like most philosophers, likes his hypotheticals, but he uses such moments to bring a little levity to the proceedings, making sure his readers don't feel like they're in the midst of another dull treatise.
 
He's also upfront about where his sympathies lie. Although he explains multiple conceptions of the truth faithfully, he doesn't patronize the reader by trying to mask which one he feels is the best. All in all, On Truth is a great introductory read for anyone wondering about contemporary discussions of the subject. --Noah Cruickshank, adult engagement manager, the Field Museum, Chicago, Ill.
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