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Fibonacci, Yablo and the Cassationist Approach to Paradox

Goldstein, Laurence (2006) Fibonacci, Yablo and the Cassationist Approach to Paradox. Mind, 115 (460). pp. 867-890. ISSN 0026-4423. (doi:10.1093/mind/fzl867) (KAR id:9134)

Abstract

A syntactically correct number-specification may fail to specify any number due to underspecification. For similar reasons, although each sentence in the Yablo sequence is syntactically perfect, none yields a statement with any truth-value. As is true of all members of the Liar family, the sentences in the Yablo sequence are so constructed that the specification of their truth-conditions is vacuous; the Yablo sentences fail to yield statements. The ‘revenge’ problem is easily defused. The solution to the semantical paradoxes offered here revives the mediaeval cassatio approach, one that largely disappeared due to its uncomprehending rejection by influential contemporary writers such as William Shyreswood and Thomas Bradwardine. The diagnosis readily extends to the set-theoretic paradoxes.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1093/mind/fzl867
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BC Logic
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Arts and Humanities > School of Culture and Languages
Depositing User: Laurence Goldstein
Date Deposited: 30 Oct 2008 18:23 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 09:47 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/9134 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Goldstein, Laurence.

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