What is Correspondence theory of truth? What is the basic assumption(s) of this theory?

The Correspondence Theory of Truth is a traditional and widely accepted theory in philosophy that defines truth in terms of a correspondence between statements or beliefs and objective reality. The central assumption of this theory is that truth consists in the accuracy of the relationship between propositions and the way the world is. The basic ideas and assumptions of the Correspondence Theory of Truth can be elucidated as follows:

1. Truth as Correspondence: The core premise of the Correspondence Theory is that truth is a matter of correspondence or agreement between a statement or belief and the state of affairs in the world. If a statement accurately represents the facts or corresponds to reality, it is considered true.

2. Objective Reality: The theory assumes the existence of an objective reality independent of our beliefs or perceptions. There is an external world with facts and states of affairs, and truth is a matter of accurately reflecting this external reality in our beliefs and statements.

3. Propositions or Statements: Truth is attributed to propositions or statements, which are considered to have a truth value (either true or false) based on their correspondence with reality. Propositions are the bearers of truth and falsehood, and the goal is to ensure that statements accurately depict the way the world is.

4. Mind-World Relationship: The Correspondence Theory posits a relationship between the mind (beliefs, statements) and the world (objective reality). Truth is established when there is a fit or correspondence between mental representations and the actual state of affairs in the external world.

5. Truth Conditions: According to this theory, propositions have truth conditions, which specify the circumstances under which a proposition is true. For example, the proposition "It is raining" is true if and only if it is, in fact, raining in the external world.

6. Independent Verification: The theory assumes that truth is independent of our beliefs or knowledge. Even if we are unaware of the truth or have not verified it, a statement can still be objectively true if it corresponds to reality. This emphasizes the objectivity and external grounding of truth.

7. Empirical and Non-Empirical Truth: The Correspondence Theory applies not only to empirical statements about the observable world but also to non-empirical or abstract truths. Mathematical truths, for example, are considered true when they accurately correspond to mathematical reality.

While the Correspondence Theory is influential and intuitive, it has faced challenges, including the nature of correspondence, the problem of defining truth conditions, and issues related to language and interpretation. Despite these challenges, many philosophers continue to uphold the Correspondence Theory as a foundational and viable account of truth.