Truthier Than Thou: Truth, Supertruth and Probability of Truth

Noûs 50 (4):740-58 (2015)
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Abstract

Different formal tools are useful for different purposes. For example, when it comes to modelling degrees of belief, probability theory is a better tool than classical logic; when it comes to modelling the truth of mathematical claims, classical logic is a better tool than probability theory. In this paper I focus on a widely used formal tool and argue that it does not provide a good model of a phenomenon of which many think it does provide a good model: I shall argue that while supervaluationism may provide a model of probability of truth, or of assertability, it cannot provide a good model of truth -- supertruth cannot be truth. The core of the argument is that an adequate model of truth must render certain connectives truth-functional (at least in certain circumstances) -- and supervaluationism does not do so (in those circumstances).

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Truth via Satisfaction?Nicholas J. J. Smith - 2017 - In Arazim Pavel & Lávička Tomáš (eds.), The Logica Yearbook 2016. College Publications. pp. 273-287.

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References found in this work

On the Plurality of Worlds.David Lewis - 1986 - Revue Philosophique de la France Et de l'Etranger 178 (3):388-390.
Outline of a theory of truth.Saul Kripke - 1975 - Journal of Philosophy 72 (19):690-716.
Metaphysics. Aristotle - 1941 - In Ross W. D. (ed.), The Basic Works of Aristotle. Random House.
Vagueness, truth and logic.Kit Fine - 1975 - Synthese 30 (3-4):265-300.

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