Single Idea 4749

[catalogued under 3. Truth / H. Deflationary Truth / 2. Deflationary Truth]

Full Idea

When one says that "Queen Anne is dead" is true or false, these terms 'true' and 'false' connote nothing, but function in the sentence simply as marks of assertion and denial, so there is no sense in asking us to analyse the concept of 'truth'.

Gist of Idea

We cannot analyse the concept of 'truth', because it is simply a mark that a sentence is asserted

Source

A.J. Ayer (Language,Truth and Logic [1936], Ch.5)

Book Reference

Ayer,A.J.: 'Language, Truth and Logic' [Penguin 1974], p.118


A Reaction

"I am ill" may be true when you say it, and false when I say it. The word 'true' has a useful function in 'x is true if y'. "If that is true, Freddie, I will hit you".