Single Idea 12522

[catalogued under 3. Truth / A. Truth Problems / 5. Truth Bearers]

Full Idea

Truth and falsehood belong, in propriety of speech, only to propositions; yet ideas are oftentimes termed 'true' or 'false ...though I think there is still some secret or tacit proposition.

Gist of Idea

It is propositions which are true or false, though it is sometimes said of ideas

Source

John Locke (Essay Conc Human Understanding (2nd Ed) [1694], 2.32.01)

Book Reference

Locke,John: 'Essay Concerning Human Understanding', ed/tr. Nidditch,P.H. [OUP 1979], p.384


A Reaction

It is not quite clear, I think, what Locke means by 'proposition'. If it means sentences, then there are lots of problem cases like 'I am ill' (who is speaking?). I demand a theory of truth that allows animals to think truths. See Idea 12523.

Related Idea

Idea 12523 If they refer to real substances, 'man' is a true idea and 'centaur' a false one [Locke]