Abstract: Insofar as the notion of truth is legitimately deployed in metaphysics and the philosophy of science, it can play no more than its minimalistic function. This idea is illustrated here via discussion of (1) the contrast between deflationism and relativism; (2) the thesis that science progresses towards the truth; (3) various debates between realism and anti-realism (which are shown not to concern the concept of truth—rather, a single notion, fully captured by minimalism, is deployed on each side to help articulate its position).

Keywords: anti-realism, deflationism, metaphysics, philosophy of science, realism, relativism, science, truth,