Single Idea 9011

[catalogued under 3. Truth / H. Deflationary Truth / 1. Redundant Truth]

Full Idea

Rather than speak of truth, we do better simply to say the sentence and so speak not about language but about the world. Of singly given sentences, the perfect theory of truth is the 'disappearance theory of truth' (Sellars).

Gist of Idea

Truth is redundant for single sentences; we do better to simply speak the sentence

Source

Willard Quine (Philosophy of Logic [1970], Ch.1)

Book Reference

Quine,Willard: 'Philosophy of Logic' [Prentice-Hall 1970], p.11


A Reaction

Quine defends truth as the crucial link between language and reality, but only for large groups of sentences. If someone accuses you of lying or being incorrect, you can respond by repeating your sentence in a firmer tone of voice.