According to Galileo Galilei “all truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them.” Proving the truth values of sentences has been of peculiar interest for thousands of years and philosophers as well as mathematicians worldwide have tried to grasp this enormously complex matter. The intricacy of truth even begins with the definition of the object. Even Alfred Tarski, a Polish-American mathematician and one of the greatest logicians of the twentieth century, stated that the main problem is a satisfactory definition of truth. Obviously, discovering the truth of statements is a rather difficult task to undertake. Howsoever, in this paper we illustrate various semantic
relations and theories as well as logical tools which help to establish the truth.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Sentence Semantics
- Propositions in General
- Logic
- The Aristotelian Logic
- Truth
- The Correspondence Theory
- The Coherence Theory
- Tarski's Definition of Truth
- Truth-Conditional Semantics
- The Epistemological Distinction of Truth
- A Posteriori Truth
- A Priori Truth
- The Metaphysical Distinction of Truth
- The Semantic Distinction of Truth
- The Epistemological Distinction of Truth
- The Semantic Relation of Entailment
- Truth Table Entailment
- Modus Ponens
- Entailment given by Linguistic Structure
- Entailment given by Syntactic Structure
- Active and Passive
- Synonymy
- Contradiction
- Presuppositions
- Negation of Presupposition
- Two Approaches of Presupposition
- The Semantic Approach
- Truth Table Semantic Approach
- The Pragmatic Approach
- The Semantic Approach
- Presupposition Failure
- Presupposition Triggers
- Lexical Triggers
- Presupposition and Context
- Pragmatic Theories of Presupposition
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to explore various semantic relations and theories, along with logical tools used to establish truth values of sentences. It investigates the complexities of defining truth and examines different approaches to understanding sentence meaning and the relationship between sentences and propositions.
- The definition and complexities of truth.
- Sentence semantics and its different approaches.
- The nature and function of propositions.
- Semantic relations, particularly entailment.
- The concept and analysis of presuppositions.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by highlighting the historical interest in determining the truth values of sentences. It emphasizes the difficulty inherent in defining truth itself, even citing the challenges faced by prominent logicians like Alfred Tarski. The chapter positions the paper's goal as exploring semantic relations, theories, and logical tools to help establish truth.
Sentence Semantics: This chapter introduces two primary approaches to sentence semantics: truth-functional semantics and situational semantics. Truth-functional semantics focuses on the truth value of a sentence as its reference, disregarding the speaker's intention. Situational semantics, presented as an advancement, considers the context and conditions under which a sentence is true. The chapter emphasizes the importance of determining relations between propositions and focuses on the truth values of declarative sentences.
Propositions in General: This chapter delves into the definition and characteristics of propositions. It clarifies propositions as the timeless and non-linguistic bearers of truth and falsity, capable of being believed or disbelieved. The chapter differentiates propositions from interrogative and imperative sentences, emphasizing that only indicative sentences can be expressed as propositions. It also highlights the role of context in resolving semantic ambiguity and avoiding misinterpretations of propositions, using the example of the sentence "Cows do not like grass."
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Guide to Semantic Relations and Theories
What is the main topic of this text?
This text is a comprehensive overview of sentence semantics, exploring various semantic relations and theories, including truth, entailment, and presupposition. It examines different approaches to understanding sentence meaning and the relationship between sentences and propositions, utilizing logical tools to determine truth values.
What are the key themes explored in this text?
The key themes include the definition and complexities of truth, different approaches to sentence semantics, the nature and function of propositions, semantic relations (especially entailment), and the concept and analysis of presuppositions. The text also investigates the use of logical tools in determining truth values.
What are the different approaches to sentence semantics discussed?
The text discusses truth-functional semantics (focusing on truth values as references, disregarding speaker intention) and situational semantics (considering context and conditions for truth). The importance of determining relations between propositions and the focus on the truth values of declarative sentences are emphasized.
What is a proposition, and how is it defined in this text?
Propositions are defined as the timeless and non-linguistic bearers of truth and falsity, capable of being believed or disbelieved. The text differentiates propositions from interrogative and imperative sentences, stating that only indicative sentences can express propositions. The role of context in resolving ambiguity in propositions is also highlighted.
What is entailment, and how is it discussed in the text?
Entailment is a key semantic relation explored. The text examines different types, including truth table entailment, modus ponens, entailment given by linguistic structure, and entailment given by syntactic structure (considering active/passive voice, synonymy, and contradiction).
What is the text's approach to presupposition?
The text delves into presuppositions, including negation of presupposition, and presents two approaches: a semantic approach (including a truth table semantic approach) and a pragmatic approach. It also covers presupposition failure, presupposition triggers (lexical triggers included), presupposition and context, and pragmatic theories of presupposition.
What are the different theories of truth discussed?
The text explores several theories of truth, including the correspondence theory, the coherence theory, and Tarski's definition of truth. It also examines the epistemological distinction of truth (a posteriori and a priori truth) and the metaphysical and semantic distinctions of truth.
What logical tools are used in the text?
The text utilizes various logical tools, including truth tables, to analyze and establish the truth values of sentences and to explore semantic relations like entailment. The Aristotelian logic is mentioned as a historical framework.
What is the overall objective of the text?
The text aims to explore various semantic relations and theories, along with logical tools, to establish the truth values of sentences. It investigates the complexities of defining truth and examines different approaches to understanding sentence meaning and the relationship between sentences and propositions.
What does the introduction of the text cover?
The introduction sets the stage by highlighting the historical interest in determining the truth values of sentences and the challenges in defining truth itself. It positions the paper's goal as exploring semantic relations, theories, and logical tools to help establish truth.
- Quote paper
- Andreas Nauhardt (Author), 2009, Logic: Sentence Relations and Truth, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/138235
