Self-Reference and the Problem of Antinomies Cover Image

Samoodniesienie a zagadnienie powstawania antynomii
Self-Reference and the Problem of Antinomies

Author(s): Zbigniew Tworak
Subject(s): Philosophy
Published by: Uniwersytet Warszawski - Wydział Filozofii i Socjologii, Instytut Filozofii
Keywords: reference relation; self-reference; circularity; diagonalization; antinomy; universality; ungroudedness

Summary/Abstract: In this paper, I try to give an account of situations in which self-reference is likely to occur. Generally, self-reference or circularity is relation in which something refers to itself (directly or via another, intermediate, objects). Self-referential objects sometimes lead to antinomies (inconsistencies) and sometimes do not. We can distinguish between vicious and innocuous self-referential objects. There is controversy whether all antinomies essentially involve some form of self-reference (S. Yablo has given an ingenious liar-style antinomy that, he claims, avoids self-reference). I suggest that self-reference is necessarily involved in finite antinomies, but not in infinity ones.

  • Issue Year: 16/2008
  • Issue No: 2 (62)
  • Page Range: 43-58
  • Page Count: 16
  • Language: Polish