more from Alfred Tarski

Single Idea 19069

[catalogued under 3. Truth / A. Truth Problems / 2. Defining Truth]

Full Idea

The possibility of a consistent use of 'true sentence' which is in harmony with the laws of logic and the spirit of everyday language seems to be very questionable, so the same doubt attaches to the possibility of constructing a correct definition.

Gist of Idea

'True sentence' has no use consistent with logic and ordinary language, so definition seems hopeless

Source

Alfred Tarski (The Concept of Truth for Formalized Languages [1933], §1)

Book Reference

Tarski,Alfred: 'Logic, Semantics, Meta-mathematics' [Hackett 1956], p.165


A Reaction

This is often cited as Tarski having conclusively proved that 'true' cannot be defined from within a language, but his language here is much more circumspect. Modern critics say the claim depends entirely on classical logic.