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Single Idea 7767
[filed under theme 19. Language / C. Assigning Meanings / 6. Truth-Conditions Semantics
]
Full Idea
Russell's theory of definite descriptions proceeds by sketching the truth conditions of sentences containing descriptions, and arguing on various grounds that they are the correct truth conditions.
Gist of Idea
The theory of definite descriptions aims at finding correct truth conditions
Source
report of Bertrand Russell (On Denoting [1905]) by William Lycan - Philosophy of Language Ch.9
Book Ref
Lycan,William G.: 'Philosophy of Language' [Routledge 2000], p.131
A Reaction
It seems important to see both where Russell was going, and where Davidson has come from. The whole project of finding the logical form of sentences (which starts with Frege and Russell) implies that truth conditions is what matters.
The
15 ideas
with the same theme
[giving meaning by specifying how sentences would be true]:
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7767
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The theory of definite descriptions aims at finding correct truth conditions
[Russell, by Lycan]
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8189
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Truth-condition theorists must argue use can only be described by appeal to conditions of truth
[Dummett]
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8191
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The truth-conditions theory must get agreement on a conception of truth
[Dummett]
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2559
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Davidson's theory of meaning focuses not on terms, but on relations between sentences
[Rorty]
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19132
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Top-down semantic analysis must begin with truth, as it is obvious, and explains linguistic usage
[Davidson]
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11076
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Community implies assertability-conditions rather than truth-conditions semantics
[Kripke, by Hanna]
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6989
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I can understand "He has a beard", without identifying 'he', and hence the truth conditions
[Jackson]
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3079
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Truth in a language is explained by how the structural elements of a sentence contribute to its truth conditions
[Harman]
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16401
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To understand an utterance, you must understand what the world would be like if it is true
[Stalnaker]
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2459
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Externalist semantics are necessary to connect the contents of beliefs with how the world is
[Fodor]
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13964
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Semantic content is a proposition made of sentence constituents (not some set of circumstances)
[Soames]
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2547
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There is information if there are symbols which refer, and which can combine into a truth or falsehood
[McGinn]
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7770
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Truth conditions will come out the same for sentences with 'renate' or 'cordate'
[Lycan]
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18997
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Truth-conditions as subject-matter has problems of relevance, short cut, and reversal
[Yablo]
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7323
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If truth is deflationary, sentence truth-conditions just need good declarative syntax
[Miller,A]
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