Single Idea 19141

[catalogued under 3. Truth / G. Axiomatic Truth / 1. Axiomatic Truth]

Full Idea

Tarski preferred an explicit definition of truth to axioms. He says axioms have a rather accidental character, only a definition can guarantee the continued consistency of the system, and it keeps truth in harmony with physical science and physicalism.

Gist of Idea

Tarski thought axiomatic truth was too contingent, and in danger of inconsistencies

Source

report of Alfred Tarski (works [1936]) by Donald Davidson - Truth and Predication 2 n2

Book Reference

Davidson,Donald: 'Truth and Predication' [Belknap Harvard 2005], p.31


A Reaction

Davidson's summary, gleaned from various sources in Tarski. A big challenge for modern axiom systems is to avoid inconsistency, which is extremely hard to do (given that set theory is not sure of having achieved it).