Single Idea 6394

[catalogued under 19. Language / A. Nature of Meaning / 7. Meaning Holism / b. Language holism]

Full Idea

Although most utterances are not concerned with truth, it is the pattern of sentences held true that gives sentences their meaning.

Gist of Idea

The pattern of sentences held true gives sentences their meaning

Source

Donald Davidson (Thought and Talk [1975], p.14)

Book Reference

'Mind and Language', ed/tr. Guttenplan,Samuel [OUP 1977], p.14


A Reaction

Davidson's distinctive version of meaning holism, as opposed to Quine's rather behaviouristic version. I agree that we relate to people through the pattern of sentences they hold true, but I am unconvinced that this 'gives sentences their meaning'.