Single Idea 23290

[catalogued under 19. Language / A. Nature of Meaning / 6. Meaning as Use]

Full Idea

It may be that sentences are used as they are because of their truth conditions, and they have the truth conditions they do because of how they are used.

Gist of Idea

It could be that the use of a sentence is explained by its truth conditions

Source

Donald Davidson (Truth Rehabilitated [1997], p.13)

Book Reference

Davidson,Donald: 'Truth, Language and History' [OUP 2005], p.13


A Reaction

I've always taken the attempt to explain meaning by use as absurd. It is similar to trying to explain mind in terms of function. In each case, what is the intrinsic nature of the thing, which makes that use or that function possible?

Related Idea

Idea 23289 Knowing the potential truth conditions of a sentence is necessary and sufficient for understanding [Davidson]