Single Idea 6163

[catalogued under 5. Theory of Logic / D. Assumptions for Logic / 1. Bivalence]

Full Idea

If you reject the principle of bivalence (that a proposition is either determinately true or false), then statements are also not subject to the Law of Excluded Middle (P or not-P).

Gist of Idea

If bivalence is rejected, then excluded middle must also be rejected

Source

Mark Rowlands (Externalism [2003], Ch.3)

Book Reference

Rowlands,Mark: 'Externalism' [Acumen 2003], p.52


A Reaction

I think Rowlands is wrong about this. Excluded Middle could be purely syntacti, or its semantics could be 'True or Not-True'. Only bivalent excluded middle introduces 'True or False'. Compare Idea 4752.

Related Ideas

Idea 4752 Deflationism must reduce bivalence ('p is true or false') to excluded middle ('p or not-p') [Engel]

Idea 9024 Excluded middle has three different definitions [Quine]