If we were to use A.J. Ayer’s definition of verification theory, we would be saying in order to verify a statement it must be verified through empirical observation. Going by this theory may commit the descriptive fallacy if we consider that there are statements that do not have truth conditions. In this sense it is a problem because we require empirical observations to be verifiable to pass the verification theory, however with some statements having no truth condition.
Austin distinguishes a class of sentences, known as performance utterances, do not have a truth condition contained within the sentence. A particular example is the sentence, “I promise to wash the dishes”. The sentence is not describing if the individual has washed the dishes, which has a truth value, but rather a present action in which the individual will promise to wash the dishes. Regardless of if the individual completes the action or not is irrelevant, as the sentence is simply about a promise to wash the dishes.
Would the phrase, “I promise to wash the King of France dishes” still be considered a performative utterances, despite the fact that the King of France does not exist?
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