Statement (logic)

In logic and semantics, the term statement is variously understood to mean either: a meaningful declarative sentence that is true or false, or a proposition. Which is the assertion that is made by (i.e., the meaning of) a true or false declarative sentence. In the latter case, a statement is distinct from a sentence in that a sentence is only one formulation of a statement, whereas there may be many other formulations expressing the same statement. By a statement, I mean "that which one states", not one's stating of it. There are many interpretations of what the term statement means, but generally, it indicates either a meaningful declarative sentence that is either true or false (bivalence). A proposition is an assertion that is made by (i.e., the meaning of) a true or false declarative sentence. A proposition is what a statement means, it is the notion or idea that a statement expresses, i.e., what it represents. It could be said that "2 + 2 = 4" and "two plus two equals four" are two different statements that are expressing the same proposition in two different ways. Philosopher of language Peter Strawson advocated the use of the term "statement" in sense (b) in preference to proposition. Strawson used the term "Statement" to make the point that two declarative sentences can make the same statement if they say the same thing in different ways. Thus, in the usage advocated by Strawson, "All men are mortal." and "Every man is mortal." are two different sentences that make the same statement. In either case, a statement is viewed as a truth bearer. Examples of sentences that are (or make) true statements: "Socrates is a man." "A triangle has three sides." "Madrid is the capital of Spain." Examples of sentences that are also statements, even though they aren't true: "All toasters are made of solid gold." "Two plus two equals five." Examples of sentences that are not (or do not make) statements: "Who are you?" "Run!" "Greenness perambulates." "I had one grunch but the eggplant over there." "King Charles III is wise.