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Single Idea 14968

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

Full Idea

If a classical language is expressively weakened - for example, by dispensing with negation - then it can contain its own truth predicate.

Gist of Idea

A weakened classical language can contain its own truth predicate

Source

Anil Gupta (Truth [2001], 5.2)

Book Ref

'Blackwell Guide to Philosophical Logic', ed/tr. Goble,Lou [Blackwell 2001], p.101


A Reaction

Thus the Tarskian requirement to move to a metalanguage for truth is only a requirement of a reasonably strong language. Gupta uses this to criticise theories that dispense with the metalanguage.

Related Ideas

Idea 16295 Tarski proved that truth cannot be defined from within a given theory [Tarski, by Halbach]

Idea 14796 Independent truth (if there is any) is the ultimate result of sufficient enquiry [Peirce]


The 16 ideas from Anil Gupta

Notable definitions have been of piety (Plato), God (Anselm), number (Frege), and truth (Tarski) [Gupta]
If definitions aim at different ideals, then defining essence is not a unitary activity [Gupta]
Chemists aim at real definition of things; lexicographers aim at nominal definition of usage [Gupta]
Ostensive definitions look simple, but are complex and barely explicable [Gupta]
Stipulative definition assigns meaning to a term, ignoring prior meanings [Gupta]
A definition can be 'extensionally', 'intensionally' or 'sense' adequate [Gupta]
The ordered pair <x,y> is defined as the set {{x},{x,y}}, capturing function, not meaning [Gupta]
Definitions usually have a term, a 'definiendum' containing the term, and a defining 'definiens' [Gupta]
Traditional definitions are general identities, which are sentential and reductive [Gupta]
Traditional definitions need: same category, mention of the term, and conservativeness and eliminability [Gupta]
A definition needs to apply to the same object across possible worlds [Gupta]
The 'revision theory' says that definitions are rules for improving output [Gupta]
Truth rests on Elimination ('A' is true → A) and Introduction (A → 'A' is true) [Gupta]
The Liar reappears, even if one insists on propositions instead of sentences [Gupta]
A weakened classical language can contain its own truth predicate [Gupta]
Strengthened Liar: either this sentence is neither-true-nor-false, or it is not true [Gupta]