more from Donald Davidson

Single Idea 6179

[catalogued under 19. Language / F. Communication / 6. Interpreting Language / b. Indeterminate translation]

Full Idea

The concern of some philosophers has been expressed by saying that whereas Tarski took translation for granted, and sought to understand truth, Davidson takes truth for granted, and seeks to understand translation.

Gist of Idea

Should we assume translation to define truth, or the other way around?

Source

comment on Donald Davidson (Truth and Meaning [1967]) by Simon Blackburn - Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy p.82

Book Reference

Blackburn,Simon: 'Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy' [OUP 1996], p.82


A Reaction

We can just say that the two concepts are interdependent, but my personal intuitions side with Davidson. If you are going to take something as fundamental and axiomatic, truth looks a better bet than translation.