more on this theme | more from this thinker
Full Idea
A Davidsonian truth theory will not be able to distinguish the meaning of a sentence containing 'renate' from that of one containing 'cordate'.
Clarification
Cordate creatures (having hearts) are all renate (having kidneys) in this world
Gist of Idea
Truth conditions will come out the same for sentences with 'renate' or 'cordate'
Source
William Lycan (Philosophy of Language [2000], Ch. 9)
Book Ref
Lycan,William G.: 'Philosophy of Language' [Routledge 2000], p.142
A Reaction
One might achieve the distinction by referring to truth conditions in possible worlds, if there are possible worlds where some cordates are not renate. See Idea 7773.
Related Idea
Idea 7773 A sentence's truth conditions is the set of possible worlds in which the sentence is true [Lycan]
| 7755 | Singular terms refer, using proper names, definite descriptions, singular personal pronouns, demonstratives, etc. [Lycan] |
| 7763 | It is hard to state a rule of use for a proper name [Lycan] |
| 7764 | Could I successfully use an expression, without actually understanding it? [Lycan] |
| 7766 | Meaning must be known before we can consider verification [Lycan] |
| 7768 | The truth conditions theory sees meaning as representation [Lycan] |
| 7770 | Truth conditions will come out the same for sentences with 'renate' or 'cordate' [Lycan] |
| 7773 | A sentence's truth conditions is the set of possible worlds in which the sentence is true [Lycan] |
| 7774 | Possible worlds explain aspects of meaning neatly - entailment, for example, is the subset relation [Lycan] |