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Single Idea 8189

[filed under theme 19. Language / C. Assigning Meanings / 6. Truth-Conditions Semantics ]

Full Idea

To demonstrate the necessity of a truth-conditional theory of meaning, a proponent of such a theory must argue that use cannot be described without appeal to the conditions for the truth of statements.

Gist of Idea

Truth-condition theorists must argue use can only be described by appeal to conditions of truth

Source

Michael Dummett (Truth and the Past [2001], 1)

Book Ref

Dummett,Michael: 'Truth and the Past (Dewey Lectures)' [Columbia 2004], p.28


A Reaction

Unlike Dummett, I find that argument rather appealing. How do you decide the possible or appropriate use for a piece of language, if you don't already know what it means. Basing it all on social conventions means it could be meaningless ritual.


The 15 ideas with the same theme [giving meaning by specifying how sentences would be true]:

The theory of definite descriptions aims at finding correct truth conditions [Russell, by Lycan]
Truth-condition theorists must argue use can only be described by appeal to conditions of truth [Dummett]
The truth-conditions theory must get agreement on a conception of truth [Dummett]
Davidson's theory of meaning focuses not on terms, but on relations between sentences [Rorty]
Top-down semantic analysis must begin with truth, as it is obvious, and explains linguistic usage [Davidson]
Community implies assertability-conditions rather than truth-conditions semantics [Kripke, by Hanna]
I can understand "He has a beard", without identifying 'he', and hence the truth conditions [Jackson]
Truth in a language is explained by how the structural elements of a sentence contribute to its truth conditions [Harman]
To understand an utterance, you must understand what the world would be like if it is true [Stalnaker]
Externalist semantics are necessary to connect the contents of beliefs with how the world is [Fodor]
Semantic content is a proposition made of sentence constituents (not some set of circumstances) [Soames]
There is information if there are symbols which refer, and which can combine into a truth or falsehood [McGinn]
Truth conditions will come out the same for sentences with 'renate' or 'cordate' [Lycan]
Truth-conditions as subject-matter has problems of relevance, short cut, and reversal [Yablo]
If truth is deflationary, sentence truth-conditions just need good declarative syntax [Miller,A]