Re: Is it a paradox? (fwd)
- From: Rowan Malin <rowan__malin@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 15 Jul 2005 00:32:46 -0400
Matthew Russotto wrote:
In article <Pine.SOL.4.44.0507141603120.17248-100000@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, Reinhold Friedrich Burger <rfburger@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: [...]
---------- Forwarded message ---------- Subject: Is it a paradox?
Consider the following line of reasoning. Let p be the proposition "Ronald was born in New York." From p, we can infer q: Ronald was born in the United States. From q, we can infer r: It is possible that Ronald was born in New Jersey. On the other hand, from p we can infer s: It is not possible that Ronald was born in New Jersey. We have arrived at a contradiction. What is wrong? Note: To answer the question, familiarity with modal logic is not needed.
Since it's not stated in formal language, the usual issues with informal language arise. Namely, several terms are used with slightly different meanings the different times they are used. The terms are "infer" and "it is possible". If you put these statements into a formal notation, there will be no paradox.
I've heard it said that one is permitted one bizarre posting on Usenet; this is mine:
When I read your statement (with which I agree entirely, by the way), I immediately had a picture of you (whom I have never knowingly met) stating your statement with one hand in your pocket, and the other holding a half-eaten cheese sandwich which you were using in a dramatic fashion to emphasize your points.
Bravo! (and apologies)
Rowan
PS - FWIW, you were dressed in a brown tweed suit. .
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