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Single Idea 16295

[filed under theme 3. Truth / A. Truth Problems / 2. Defining Truth ]

Full Idea

Tarski's Theorem states that under fairly generally applicable conditions, the assumption that there is a definition of truth within a given theory for the language of that same theory leads to a contradiction.

Gist of Idea

Tarski proved that truth cannot be defined from within a given theory

Source

report of Alfred Tarski (The Concept of Truth for Formalized Languages [1933]) by Volker Halbach - Axiomatic Theories of Truth 1

Book Ref

Halbach,Volker: 'Axiomatic Theories of Truth' [CUP 2011], p.4

A Reaction

That might leave room for a definition outside the given theory. I take the main motivation for the axiomatic approach to be a desire to get a theory of truth within the given theory, where Tarski's Theorem says traditional approaches are just wrong.

Related Ideas

Idea 16303 Tarski made truth respectable, by proving that it could be defined [Tarski, by Halbach]

Idea 14968 A weakened classical language can contain its own truth predicate [Gupta]

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

The 29 ideas with the same theme [question of whether truth can be defined, and how]:

8821 Jesus said he bore witness to the truth. Pilate asked, What is truth? [John]
4736 Truth is such a transcendentally clear notion that it cannot be further defined [Descartes]
19070 Superficial truth is knowing how something is, which is consciousness of bare correctness [Hegel]
21793 Genuine truth is the resolution of the highest contradiction [Hegel]
22092 Kierkegaard's truth draws on authenticity, fidelity and honesty [Kierkegaard, by Carlisle]
19466 The word 'true' seems to be unique and indefinable [Frege]
6710 You can only define a statement that something is 'true' by referring to its functional possibilities [James]
19178 Definitions of truth should not introduce a new version of the concept, but capture the old one [Tarski]
19177 A definition of truth should be materially adequate and formally correct [Tarski]
19186 A rigorous definition of truth is only possible in an exactly specified language [Tarski]
19194 We may eventually need to split the word 'true' into several less ambiguous terms [Tarski]
16295 Tarski proved that truth cannot be defined from within a given theory [Tarski, by Halbach]
15342 Tarski proved that any reasonably expressive language suffers from the liar paradox [Tarski, by Horsten]
19069 'True sentence' has no use consistent with logic and ordinary language, so definition seems hopeless [Tarski]
10153 In everyday language, truth seems indefinable, inconsistent, and illogical [Tarski]
18731 There is no theory of truth, because it isn't a concept [Wittgenstein]
10840 We must be able to specify truths in a precise language, like winning moves in a game [Dummett]
23295 Truth cannot be reduced to anything simpler [Davidson]
19160 A comprehensive theory of truth probably includes a theory of predication [Davidson]
18542 Defining truth presupposes that there can be a true definition [Scruton]
18365 If truths are just identical with facts, then truths will make themselves true [David]
22301 The Identity Theory says a proposition is true if it coincides with what makes it true [Potter]
18486 We might define truth as arising from the truth-maker relation [MacBride]
15374 Truth has no 'nature', but we should try to describe its behaviour in inferences [Horsten]
16293 Traditional definitions of truth often make it more obscure, rather than less [Halbach]
16324 Any definition of truth requires a metalanguage [Halbach]
16301 If people have big doubts about truth, a definition might give it more credibility [Halbach]
15647 Truth definitions don't produce a good theory, because they go beyond your current language [Halbach]
19125 If we define truth, we can eliminate it [Halbach/Leigh]