more from Alfred Tarski

Single Idea 13339

[catalogued under 5. Theory of Logic / I. Semantics of Logic / 4. Satisfaction]

Full Idea

Here is a partial definition of the concept of satisfaction: John and Peter satisfy the sentential function 'X and Y are brothers' if and only if John and Peter are brothers.

Gist of Idea

A sentence is satisfied when we can assert the sentence when the variables are assigned

Source

Alfred Tarski (The Establishment of Scientific Semantics [1936], p.405)

Book Reference

Tarski,Alfred: 'Logic, Semantics, Meta-mathematics' [Hackett 1956], p.405


A Reaction

Satisfaction applies to open sentences and truth to closed sentences (with named objects). He uses the notion of total satisfaction to define truth. The example is a partial definition, not just an illustration.