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Single Idea 19210

[filed under theme 19. Language / D. Propositions / 2. Abstract Propositions / a. Propositions as sense ]

Full Idea

The standard view among philosophers nowadays seems to be that propositions do not and even cannot change in truth-value. But my own view is that some propositions can, and do, change in truth value.

Gist of Idea

The standard view of propositions says they never change their truth-value

Source

Trenton Merricks (Propositions [2015], 3.VII)

Book Ref

Merricks,Trenton: 'Propositions' [OUP 2015], p.113


A Reaction

He gives 'that A sits' as an example of one which can change, though 'that A sits at time t' cannot change. I take Merricks to be obviously right, and cannot get my head round the 'standard' view. What on earth do they think a proposition is?


The 19 ideas with the same theme [propositions as objective abstract entities]:

Propositions are abstract structures of concepts, ready for judgement or assertion [Bolzano, by Correia/Schnieder]
A 'proposition' is the sense of a linguistic expression, and can be true or false [Bolzano]
For all the multiplicity of languages, mankind has a common stock of thoughts [Frege]
Thoughts are not subjective or psychological, because some thoughts are the same for us all [Frege]
A thought is the sense expressed by a sentence, and is what we prove [Frege]
A 'thought' is something for which the question of truth can arise; thoughts are senses of sentences [Frege]
A 'proposition' is said to be the timeless cognitive part of the meaning of a sentence [Quine]
For all being, there is a potential proposition which expresses its existence and nature [Armstrong]
A realm of abstract propositions is causally inert, so has no explanatory value [Armstrong]
Sentences are abstract types (like musical scores), not individual tokens [Katz]
The distinction between sentences and abstract propositions is crucial in logic [Devlin]
If propositions are abstract entities, how do human beings interact with them? [Heil]
Maybe a proposition is just a property with all its places filled [Swoyer]
Modal logic and brain science have reaffirmed traditional belief in propositions [Bealer]
Propositions are necessary existents which essentially (but inexplicably) represent things [Merricks]
True propositions existed prior to their being thought, and might never be thought [Merricks]
The standard view of propositions says they never change their truth-value [Merricks]
Without propositions there can be no beliefs or desires [Hofweber]
Are propositions all the thoughts and sentences that are possible? [Tallant]