Re: [ontolog-forum] Russell's Paradox, Updating an Open Theory, and Nega

["Adrian Walker" <adriandwalker@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Pat (Cassidy) --

Glad you could not resist the example (:-).

There's actually an extended notion of closure that's often applied in situations like this.  It basically says that one should not assume anything that's not explicitly stated.  I believe that McCarthy (& Hayes?) formalized something like this in his/their circumscription papers.

                                 Cheers,  -- Adrian



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Adrian Walker
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On Sun, Aug 17, 2008 at 6:18 PM, Patrick Cassidy <pat@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Adrian –

   Can't resist, though it's not quite relevant:

 

Ø  There's a version of [Russel's]  paradox that is often used to explain it in concrete terms.  It goes like this.

In a certain village, the barber shaves all (and only) the men who do not shave themselves.
Who shaves the barber?

If it's the barber there's a contradiction -- he is shaving himself, but he's only supposed
to shave those who do not shave themselves.

If someone else shaves the barber, there is also a contradiction -- the barber is
supposed to shave those who do not shave themselves.

  But if the barber is a woman (or a robot), there is no paradox.  ;-)

  Russel lived in a sexist age.  Us moderns know better. 

  Moral: be sure you understand your assumptions – always a good idea.  The IBL formulation doesn't mention anything about men (or women).

 

Pat

 

Patrick Cassidy

MICRA, Inc.

908-561-3416

cell: 908-565-4053

cassidy@xxxxxxxxx

 

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