Paradox and Paraconsistency: Conflict Resolution in the Abstract Sciences

by John Woods

• ISBN13: 9780521810944
• ISBN10: 0521810949
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-10-14
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

In a world plagued by disagreement and conflict one might expect that the exact sciences of logic and mathematics would provide a safe harbor. In fact these disciplines are rife with internal divisions between different, often incompatible, systems. Do these disagreements admit of resolution? Can such resolution be achieved without disturbing assumptions that the theorems of logic and mathematics state objective truths about the real world? In this original and historically rich book John Woods explores apparently intractable disagreements in logic and the foundations of mathematics and sets out conflict resolution strategies that evade or disarm these stalemates. An important sub-theme of the book is the extent to which pluralism in logic and the philosophy of mathematics undermines realist assumptions. This book makes an important contribution to such areas of philosophy as logic, philosophy of language and argumentation theory. It will also be of interest to mathematicians and computer scientists.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Prologue: Postmodern Logic	xi
Conflict in the Abstract Sciences	1	(39)
Modalities	40	(40)
Managing Inconsistency	80	(40)
Semantic Intuitions	120	(35)
Sets and Truth	155	(41)
Fiction	196	(32)
Currying Liars	228	(49)
Normativity	277	(50)
Notes	327	(14)
Bibliography	341	(18)
Index	359