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In semantics and pragmatics, a truth condition is the condition under which a sentence is true. For example, "It is snowing in Nebraska" is true precisely when it is snowing in Nebraska. Truth conditions of a sentence do not necessarily reflect current reality. They are merely the conditions under which the statement would be true.
More formally, a truth condition makes for the truth of a sentence in an inductive definition of truth (for details, see the semantic theory of truth). Understood this way, truth conditions are . To illustrate with an example: suppose that, in a particular truth theory which is a theory of truth where truth is somehow made acceptable despite semantic terms as close as possible, the word "Nixon" refers to Richard M. Nixon, and "is alive" is associated with the set of currently living things. Then one way of representing the truth condition of "Nixon is alive" is as the ordered pair <Nixon, {x: x is alive}>. And we say that "Nixon is alive" is true if and only if the referent (or referent of) "Nixon" belongs to the set associated with "is alive", that is, if and only if Nixon is alive.
In semantics, the truth condition of a sentence is almost universally considered distinct from its meaning. The meaning of a sentence is conveyed if the truth conditions for the sentence are understood. Additionally, there are many sentences that are understood although their truth condition is uncertain. One popular argument for this view is that some sentences are necessarily true—that is, they are true whatever happens to obtain. All such sentences have the same truth conditions, but arguably do not thereby have the same meaning. Likewise, the sets {x: x is alive} and {x: x is alive and x is not a rock} are identical—they have precisely the same members—but presumably the sentences "Nixon is alive" and "Nixon is alive and is not a rock" have different meanings.
See also
- Slingshot argument
- Truth-conditional semantics
- Semantic theory of truth
Notes and references
- Birner, Betty J. Introduction to Pragmatics. 2013. Wiley-Blackwell.
- Field, Hartry (1972). Tarski's Theory of Truth. The Journal of Philosophy, 69(13), 347-375. doi:10.2307/2024879
- Iten, C. (2005). Linguistic meaning, truth conditions and relevance: The case of concessives. Basingstoke, Hampshire;New York;: Palgrave Macmillan.
External links
- An interview with John McWhorter on Donald Trump’s linguistics, in particular his lack of truth conditions.
This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Truth condition news newspapers books scholar JSTOR March 2007 Learn how and when to remove this message In semantics and pragmatics a truth condition is the condition under which a sentence is true For example It is snowing in Nebraska is true precisely when it is snowing in Nebraska Truth conditions of a sentence do not necessarily reflect current reality They are merely the conditions under which the statement would be true More formally a truth condition makes for the truth of a sentence in an inductive definition of truth for details see the semantic theory of truth Understood this way truth conditions are To illustrate with an example suppose that in a particular truth theory which is a theory of truth where truth is somehow made acceptable despite semantic terms as close as possible the word Nixon refers to Richard M Nixon and is alive is associated with the set of currently living things Then one way of representing the truth condition of Nixon is alive is as the ordered pair lt Nixon x x is alive gt And we say that Nixon is alive is true if and only if the referent or referent of Nixon belongs to the set associated with is alive that is if and only if Nixon is alive In semantics the truth condition of a sentence is almost universally considered distinct from its meaning The meaning of a sentence is conveyed if the truth conditions for the sentence are understood Additionally there are many sentences that are understood although their truth condition is uncertain One popular argument for this view is that some sentences are necessarily true that is they are true whatever happens to obtain All such sentences have the same truth conditions but arguably do not thereby have the same meaning Likewise the sets x x is alive and x x is alive and x is not a rock are identical they have precisely the same members but presumably the sentences Nixon is alive and Nixon is alive and is not a rock have different meanings See alsoPhilosophy portalPsychology portalSlingshot argument Truth conditional semantics Semantic theory of truthNotes and referencesBirner Betty J Introduction to Pragmatics 2013 Wiley Blackwell Field Hartry 1972 Tarski s Theory of Truth The Journal of Philosophy 69 13 347 375 doi 10 2307 2024879 Iten C 2005 Linguistic meaning truth conditions and relevance The case of concessives Basingstoke Hampshire New York Palgrave Macmillan External linksAn interview with John McWhorter on Donald Trump s linguistics in particular his lack of truth conditions
