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On Using Inconsistent Expressions

Båve, Arvid LU orcid (2012) In Erkenntnis 77(1). p.133-148
Abstract
The paper discusses the Inconsistency Theory of Truth (IT), the view that “true” is inconsistent in the sense that its meaning-constitutive principles include all instances of the truth-schema (T). It argues that (IT) entails that anyone using “true” in its ordinary sense is committed to all the (T)-instances and that any theory in which “true” is used in that sense entails the (T)-instances (which, given classical logic, entail contradictions). More specifically, I argue that theorists are committed to the meaning-constitutive principles of logical constants, relative to the interpretation they intend thereof (e.g., classical), and that theories containing logical constants entail those principles. Further, I argue, since there is no... (More)
The paper discusses the Inconsistency Theory of Truth (IT), the view that “true” is inconsistent in the sense that its meaning-constitutive principles include all instances of the truth-schema (T). It argues that (IT) entails that anyone using “true” in its ordinary sense is committed to all the (T)-instances and that any theory in which “true” is used in that sense entails the (T)-instances (which, given classical logic, entail contradictions). More specifically, I argue that theorists are committed to the meaning-constitutive principles of logical constants, relative to the interpretation they intend thereof (e.g., classical), and that theories containing logical constants entail those principles. Further, I argue, since there is no relevant difference from the case of “true”, inconsistency theorists’ uses of “true” commit them to the (T)-instances. Adherents of (IT) are recommended, as a consequence, to eschew the truth-predicate. I also criticise Matti Eklund’s account of how the semantic value of “true” is determined, which can be taken as an attempt to show how “true” can be consistently used, despite being inconsistent. (Less)
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author
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Erkenntnis
volume
77
issue
1
pages
133 - 148
publisher
Springer
external identifiers
  • scopus:84861861086
ISSN
1572-8420
DOI
10.1007/s10670-011-9310-2
language
English
LU publication?
no
id
01574c9f-ec5a-46a3-a390-73e04bdecd24
date added to LUP
2021-11-09 11:36:53
date last changed
2023-05-31 04:01:54
@article{01574c9f-ec5a-46a3-a390-73e04bdecd24,
  abstract     = {{The paper discusses the Inconsistency Theory of Truth (IT), the view that “true” is inconsistent in the sense that its meaning-constitutive principles include all instances of the truth-schema (T). It argues that (IT) entails that anyone using “true” in its ordinary sense is committed to all the (T)-instances and that any theory in which “true” is used in that sense entails the (T)-instances (which, given classical logic, entail contradictions). More specifically, I argue that theorists are committed to the meaning-constitutive principles of logical constants, relative to the interpretation they intend thereof (e.g., classical), and that theories containing logical constants entail those principles. Further, I argue, since there is no relevant difference from the case of “true”, inconsistency theorists’ uses of “true” commit them to the (T)-instances. Adherents of (IT) are recommended, as a consequence, to eschew the truth-predicate. I also criticise Matti Eklund’s account of how the semantic value of “true” is determined, which can be taken as an attempt to show how “true” can be consistently used, despite being inconsistent.}},
  author       = {{Båve, Arvid}},
  issn         = {{1572-8420}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{07}},
  number       = {{1}},
  pages        = {{133--148}},
  publisher    = {{Springer}},
  series       = {{Erkenntnis}},
  title        = {{On Using Inconsistent Expressions}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10670-011-9310-2}},
  doi          = {{10.1007/s10670-011-9310-2}},
  volume       = {{77}},
  year         = {{2012}},
}