We become obsessed with 'truth' when discussing statements, just as we become obsessed with 'freedom' when discussing conduct...Like freedom, truth is a bare minimum or an illusory ideal. --Austin, Papers 130.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Austin argues that we treat truth and freedom as absolute ideals when they are actually minimal standards or conceptual dimensions.
- In plain terms
- Truth and freedom are not perfect goals but basic requirements or ways to measure things.
- What can you take from it?
- Treat truth and freedom as baseline standards rather than perfect ideals.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is truth a goal or a starting point?
- How do we measure freedom?
Another view
Calling truth a bare minimum might undervalue its importance in specific contexts.
More from J. L. Austin
But suppose we take the noun 'truth': here is a case where the disagreements between different theorists have largely turned on whether they interpreted this a…
Permalink to quote #9 Like 'real', 'free' is only used to rule out the suggestion of some or all of its recognized antitheses. As 'truth' is not a name of a characteristic of assert…
Permalink to quote #11 [I]f we say that I only get at the symptoms of his anger, that carries an important implication. But is this the way we do talk? --Austin, Papers 107.
Permalink to quote #8
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