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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 29 ideas with the same theme [question of whether truth can be defined, and how]:

Jesus said he bore witness to the truth. Pilate asked, What is truth? [John]
Truth is such a transcendentally clear notion that it cannot be further defined [Descartes]
Superficial truth is knowing how something is, which is consciousness of bare correctness [Hegel]
Genuine truth is the resolution of the highest contradiction [Hegel]
Kierkegaard's truth draws on authenticity, fidelity and honesty [Kierkegaard, by Carlisle]
The word 'true' seems to be unique and indefinable [Frege]
You can only define a statement that something is 'true' by referring to its functional possibilities [James]
Definitions of truth should not introduce a new version of the concept, but capture the old one [Tarski]
A definition of truth should be materially adequate and formally correct [Tarski]
A rigorous definition of truth is only possible in an exactly specified language [Tarski]
We may eventually need to split the word 'true' into several less ambiguous terms [Tarski]
Tarski proved that truth cannot be defined from within a given theory [Tarski, by Halbach]
Tarski proved that any reasonably expressive language suffers from the liar paradox [Tarski, by Horsten]
'True sentence' has no use consistent with logic and ordinary language, so definition seems hopeless [Tarski]
In everyday language, truth seems indefinable, inconsistent, and illogical [Tarski]
There is no theory of truth, because it isn't a concept [Wittgenstein]
We must be able to specify truths in a precise language, like winning moves in a game [Dummett]
Truth cannot be reduced to anything simpler [Davidson]
A comprehensive theory of truth probably includes a theory of predication [Davidson]
Defining truth presupposes that there can be a true definition [Scruton]
If truths are just identical with facts, then truths will make themselves true [David]
The Identity Theory says a proposition is true if it coincides with what makes it true [Potter]
We might define truth as arising from the truth-maker relation [MacBride]
Truth has no 'nature', but we should try to describe its behaviour in inferences [Horsten]
Traditional definitions of truth often make it more obscure, rather than less [Halbach]
Any definition of truth requires a metalanguage [Halbach]
If people have big doubts about truth, a definition might give it more credibility [Halbach]
Truth definitions don't produce a good theory, because they go beyond your current language [Halbach]
If we define truth, we can eliminate it [Halbach/Leigh]