[redivivus]

Is it a contradiction to say "there is no absolute truth"? If yes, does this contradiction prove there is "absolute truth"?

[Gabriel]

Originally Posted by redivivus

Is it a contradiction to say "there is no absolute truth"? If yes, does this contradiction prove there is "absolute truth"?

What about if no?

[ekim68]

Reminds me of that Star Trek episode where Jim told the androids:

"Everything I'm saying is a lie.."

[bassetman]

Seems like an oxymoron!

[lotuseclat79]

Hi redivivus,

Here are some links that may help you to answer the question you pose:
Wikipedia: Truth.

Truth - The Proof of its Existence.

Q.E.D. (Quod erat demonstrandum) here.

-- Tom

[Stoner]

Originally Posted by redivivus

Is it a contradiction to say "there is no absolute truth"? If yes, does this contradiction prove there is "absolute truth"?

I see you have another term paper due

[Knotbored]

Every statistic on the internet is inacurate, including this one.

[valis]

absolute truth.....I would imagine that there are several of them. I would assume that many mathematical formulae, such as Pythagoras' theorem, is pretty absolute.

It's a definite absolute that there are only four naturally occuring forces in the universe.

Pretty sure it's true if you mix two molecules of hydrogen and one of oxygen, you won't get a barbie doll.

But I could be wrong.

[lotuseclat79]

Originally Posted by redivivus

Is it a contradiction to say "there is no absolute truth"? If yes, does this contradiction prove there is "absolute truth"?

Hi redivivus,

There is a theorem known as Tarski's indefinability theorem which covers this sentence (stated wrt a backdrop of arithmetic):

The set of godel numbers of sentences true in N is not definable in arithmetic.

Proof: Since the sentences of arithmetic are just the sentences true in N, this theorem follows from Lemma 3 which is: If T is a consistent extension of Q, then the set of godel numbers of theorems of T is not definable in T. (Proof omitted).

As any formula B(x) will be true (in N) of the number k if and only if B(k) is a theorem of arithmetic, another way to put Tarski's theorem is to say that there is no formula of the language of arithmetic (with one free variable) which is true of just those natural numbers that are godel numbers of truths of arithmetic, or more briefly, 'arithmetical truth is not arithmetically definable'.

The magic of Logic here is to substitute the free variable arithmetical(ly) with absolute(ly) in the above sentence, i.e. absolute truth is not absolutely definable.

In this context then, absolute truth is not definable, and therefore the sentence of your query "Is it a contradiction to say "there is no absolute truth"? If yes, does this contradiction prove there is "absolute truth"?" --- is undecidable, which means there is no simple yes or no answer to the question.

Therefore, no contradiction can exist, and consequently no proof that "absolute truth" exists or does not exist. When something is undecidable, there is no way of knowing its decidability - and thus there is no axiomatical completeness (which would yield decidability) to your query.

Q.E.D.

-- Tom

Reference: Computability and Logic Third Edition by George S. Boolos and Richard C. Jeffrey; Cambridge University Press, p. 176.

[Gabriel]

Thank-you lotus...that was very informative....

[sglv]

Originally Posted by Stoner

I see you have another term paper due

Was wondering if this was the philosophy question of the day?

[sglv]

Originally Posted by Gabriel

Thank-you lotus...that was very informative....

I must have that wooden head because, sadly, I have absolutely no idea what the heck Lotus was saying. Then again, although I'm basically a circle, I tend to think in the black and white theory of the triangle and square.

[Gabriel]

Originally Posted by sglv

I must have that wooden head because, sadly, I have absolutely no idea what the heck Lotus was saying. Then again, although I'm basically a circle, I tend to think in the black and white theory of the triangle and square.

I don't either, but he does

[Bastiat]

The answer is: 42.

(Geezzzz valis I don't know how you missed that opportunity. )

[ekim68]

Hmmm. 42. Sounds familiar...