Conflicting Rules and Paradox

Citation

Johnston C (2014) Conflicting Rules and Paradox. Philosophy and Phenomenological Research, 88 (2), pp. 410-433. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1933-1592.2012.00588.x

Abstract
First paragraph: This paper seeks to understand various paradoxes as cases of conflicting rules. In particular, the ambition is to outline a new perspective on and response to the Liar -- though it will take us a while to get that far. We begin in Section 1 with an account of simple rule confliction. Section 2 then brings this account to bear on a paradox, the Secretary Liberation Paradox, which is readily seen to involve conflicting rules. Finally in Section 3 I suggest that the Liar can also be seen as a case of rule confliction, and outline briefly how that perspective provides for Liar arguments to be blocked.

Journal
Philosophy and Phenomenological Research: Volume 88, Issue 2

People

Dr Colin Johnston

Senior Lecturer, Philosophy