Relativism, Assertion and Deflationary Truth∗

We provide a deflationarily acceptable account of assertion in truth-relativistic domains. First, we state what we take relativism and deflationism to be. Second, we clarify the problem of assertion in relativistic domains by singling out the features that make assertion within those domains problematic. Then, we tackle the problem directly by generalizing a standard deflationary account of the norms of assertion and by introducing two key distinctions: between internal and external norms, and between norms of assertion and norms of evaluation. We show how these distinctions may be put to work in order to account for the seemingly problematic features of relativistic assertion. We conclude by assessing the importance of the issue of assertion on the question whether truth-relativism and deflationism about truth are ultimately compatible views. We tackle the problem of relativistic assertion from a deflationary perspective concerning truth. In order to gain clarity on the issue, first we say what we take relativism and deflationism to be. We do so in section 1. In section 2, we start dealing with the issue of relativistic assertion by singling out its problematic features: the possibility of coherently formulating norms for assertion, and the possibility of grounding a rational practice of assertion upon relative truth. In sections 3 and 4, we deal with the first problematic feature by formulating norms of assertion that are deflationarily acceptable. In section 5, deal with the second problematic feature by showing how relative truth provides for a rational practice of making and evaluating assertions within truth-relativistic domains of discourse. Finally, in section 6, we briefly turn to the question whether relativism and deflationism are ultimately compatible views, which is still an open one. The issue of assertion certainly will bear on the answer. ∗An abridged version of this paper was presented at TEP (Work In Progress) Seminar at Buenos Aires, and at the II Congresso da SBFA, Fortaleza, Ceará (4–6 June 2012). I thank the audiences for the useful comments. The paper in length was discussed during the IRHD Group Summer Seminar for the summer of 2011-2012 at Buenos Aires. A special acknowledgment is due to Justina Dı́az Legaspe, Nicolás Lo Guercio and Eleonora Orlando. The research for this article was made possible by the support of the National Council of Scientific and Technological Research (CONICET), in the form of a Doctoral Research Scholarship for the years 2009-2012 (Beca Interna de Postgrado Tipo I), and in the form of a Doctoral Research Scholarship for the years 2012-2014 (Beca Interna de Postgrado Tipo II). †Universidad de Buenos Aires — CONICET — GAF. E-mail: [email protected].