Ideas from 'The Method of Truth in Metaphysics' by Donald Davidson [1977], by Theme Structure
[found in 'Inquiries into Truth and Interpretation (2nd ed)' by Davidson,Donald [OUP 2001,0-19-924629-7]].
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16. Persons / A. Concept of a Person / 1. Existence of Persons
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Metaphysics requires the idea of people (speakers) located in space and time
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Full Idea:
An intelligible metaphysics will assign a central place to the idea of people (= speakers) with a location in public space and time.
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From:
Donald Davidson (The Method of Truth in Metaphysics [1977], §III)
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A reaction:
The 'location' is the interesting bit, requiring people to be bodies, not abstractions. A big, plausible claim, but hard to prove.
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19. Language / A. Nature of Meaning / 4. Meaning as Truth-Conditions
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Sentences held true determine the meanings of the words they contain
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Full Idea:
Sentences held true (the linguistic representatives of beliefs) determine the meanings of the words they contain.
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From:
Donald Davidson (The Method of Truth in Metaphysics [1977], §II)
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A reaction:
Maybe. Historically, truth and belief presumably precede words and sentences. But words separate off from beliefs very easily. I'm not convinced. Words initiate language, not beliefs?
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