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Single Idea 19177
[filed under theme 3. Truth / A. Truth Problems / 2. Defining Truth
]
Full Idea
The main problem of the notion of truth is to give a satisfactory definition which is materially adequate and formally correct.
Gist of Idea
A definition of truth should be materially adequate and formally correct
Source
Alfred Tarski (The Semantic Conception of Truth [1944], 01)
Book Ref
'Semantics and the Philosophy of Language', ed/tr. Linsky,Leonard [University of Illinois 1972], p.13
A Reaction
That is, I take it, that it covers all cases of being true and failing to be true, and it fits in with the logic. The logic is explicitly classical logic, and he is not aiming to give the 'nature' or natural language understanding of the concept.
The
24 ideas
from 'The Semantic Conception of Truth'
19179
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For a definition we need the words or concepts used, the rules, and the structure of the language
[Tarski]
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19178
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Definitions of truth should not introduce a new version of the concept, but capture the old one
[Tarski]
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19177
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A definition of truth should be materially adequate and formally correct
[Tarski]
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19180
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It is convenient to attach 'true' to sentences, and hence the language must be specified
[Tarski]
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19181
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In the classical concept of truth, 'snow is white' is true if snow is white
[Tarski]
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19183
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Each interpreted T-sentence is a partial definition of truth; the whole definition is their conjunction
[Tarski]
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19182
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Use 'true' so that all T-sentences can be asserted, and the definition will then be 'adequate'
[Tarski]
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10824
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If listing equivalences is a reduction of truth, witchcraft is just a list of witch-victim pairs
[Field,H on Tarski]
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19184
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The best truth definition involves other semantic notions, like satisfaction (relating terms and objects)
[Tarski]
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19185
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Semantics is a very modest discipline which solves no real problems
[Tarski]
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19186
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A rigorous definition of truth is only possible in an exactly specified language
[Tarski]
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19187
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The Liar makes us assert a false sentence, so it must be taken seriously
[Tarski]
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19188
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We can't use a semantically closed language, or ditch our logic, so a meta-language is needed
[Tarski]
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19189
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The metalanguage must contain the object language, logic, and defined semantics
[Tarski]
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19190
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We need an undefined term 'true' in the meta-language, specified by axioms
[Tarski]
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19191
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Specify satisfaction for simple sentences, then compounds; true sentences are satisfied by all objects
[Tarski]
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19192
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The truth definition proves semantic contradiction and excluded middle laws (not the logic laws)
[Tarski]
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19194
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We may eventually need to split the word 'true' into several less ambiguous terms
[Tarski]
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19193
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Disputes that fail to use precise scientific terminology are all meaningless
[Tarski]
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19196
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Scheme (T) is not a definition of truth
[Tarski]
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19195
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Truth tables give prior conditions for logic, but are outside the system, and not definitions
[Tarski]
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19197
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Truth can't be eliminated from universal claims, or from particular unspecified claims
[Tarski]
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19198
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We don't give conditions for asserting 'snow is white'; just that assertion implies 'snow is white' is true
[Tarski]
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19199
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Some say metaphysics is a highly generalised empirical study of objects
[Tarski]
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