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How does the correspondence theory explain when a statement is true?

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Marble bust of Aristotle with a beard and draped robe, showing detailed facial features and wavy hair, set against a dark background. — Truth Detail of a Roman copy (2nd century bce) of a Greek alabaster portrait bust of Aristotle (c. 325 bce); in the collection of the Museo Nazionale Romano, Rome.

The correspondence theory of truth posits that a statement or belief is true if it corresponds to, or agrees with, an independently existing reality.12

At its core, this theory suggests that the world provides facts—often described as "what is"—and a statement is considered true when it accurately reflects those facts. This perspective is rooted in the classic view attributed to Aristotle, who famously stated that to say of what is that it is, or of what is not that it is not, is true. In this framework, truth is defined by the relationship between human language or thought and a mind-independent world, where statements are true if the things they describe possess the properties attributed to them.34

However, the theory faces significant philosophical challenges. Critics argue that "facts" are difficult to define as independent entities, as they do not occupy space or exist apart from human interpretation and belief. Furthermore, some philosophers contend that it is impossible to step outside of our own beliefs to verify whether they correspond to an external reality, leading some to question the viability of the theory altogether.34