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

4042	Metaphysics requires the idea of people (speakers) located in space and time

			Full Idea: An intelligible metaphysics will assign a central place to the idea of people (= speakers) with a location in public space and time.
			From: Donald Davidson (The Method of Truth in Metaphysics [1977], §III)
			A reaction: The 'location' is the interesting bit, requiring people to be bodies, not abstractions. A big, plausible claim, but hard to prove.

19. Language / A. Nature of Meaning / 4. Meaning as Truth-Conditions

4041	Sentences held true determine the meanings of the words they contain

			Full Idea: Sentences held true (the linguistic representatives of beliefs) determine the meanings of the words they contain.
			From: Donald Davidson (The Method of Truth in Metaphysics [1977], §II)
			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?