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Full Idea
Sentences held true (the linguistic representatives of beliefs) determine the meanings of the words they contain.
Gist of Idea
Sentences held true determine the meanings of the words they contain
Source
Donald Davidson (The Method of Truth in Metaphysics [1977], §II)
Book Ref
'Contemp Perspectives in Phil of Lang', ed/tr. French/Uehling/Wettstein [Minnesota 1979], p.295
A Reaction
Maybe. Historically, truth and belief presumably precede words and sentences. But words separate off from beliefs very easily. I'm not convinced. Words initiate language, not beliefs?
| 4041 | Sentences held true determine the meanings of the words they contain [Davidson] |
| 4042 | Metaphysics requires the idea of people (speakers) located in space and time [Davidson] |