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Single Idea 5784

[from 'On Propositions: What they are, and Meaning' by Bertrand Russell, in 3. Truth / A. Truth Problems / 5. Truth Bearers ]

Full Idea

We call a belief true when it is belief in a true proposition, ..but it is to propositions that the primary formal meanings of 'truth' and 'falsehood' apply.

Gist of Idea

In its primary and formal sense, 'true' applies to propositions, not beliefs

Source

Bertrand Russell (On Propositions: What they are, and Meaning [1919], §IV)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'Logic and Knowledge', ed/tr. Marsh,Robert Charles [Routledge 1956], p.320


A Reaction

I think this is wrong. A proposition such as 'it is raining' would need a date-and-time stamp to be a candidate for truth, and an indexical statement such as 'I am ill' would need to be asserted by a person. Of course, books can contain unread truths.