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Single Idea 10841

[filed under theme 3. Truth / F. Semantic Truth / 2. Semantic Truth ]

Full Idea

It is of prime importance to distinguish the fact that the use of 'true' always glances backwards or forwards to the actual or envisaged making of a statement by someone.

Gist of Idea

The word 'true' always refers to a possible statement

Source

Peter F. Strawson (Truth [1950], §1)

Book Ref

'The Nature of Truth', ed/tr. Lynch, Michael P. [MIT 2001], p.449

A Reaction

'The truth of this matter will never be known'. Strawson is largely right, but it is crazy for any philosopher to use the word 'always' if they can possibly avoid it.

The 4 ideas from 'Truth'

10841 The word 'true' always refers to a possible statement [Strawson,P]
10842 The fact which is stated by a true sentence is not something in the world [Strawson,P]
10843 Facts aren't exactly true statements, but they are what those statements say [Strawson,P]
10844 The statement that it is raining perfectly fits the fact that it is raining [Strawson,P]