Truth in the Works of George Orwell

Abstract

This diploma thesis focuses on Orwell's views on truth in his written works. With the aid of the contemporary philosophical literature, the notion of truth, as well as related epistemological and metaphysical issues and concepts, are described in the first part of the paper. On the basis of this theoretical framework, the other half of the paper analyses Orwell's conception of truth and associated philosophical concepts. Special attention is dedicated to contrasting Orwell's account of truth with that of Winston, the Party (from Orwell's novel 1984) and present-day philosophical doctrines; especially realism, postmodernism, and others.