Single Idea 4752

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

Full Idea

It is said that deflationism cannot even formulate the principle of bivalence, for 'either p is true or p is false' will amount to the principle of excluded middle, 'either p or not-p'.

Gist of Idea

Deflationism must reduce bivalence ('p is true or false') to excluded middle ('p or not-p')

Source

Pascal Engel (Truth [2002], §2.4)

Book Reference

Engel,Pascal: 'Truth' [Acumen 2002], p.53


A Reaction

Presumably deflationists don't lost any sleep over this - in fact, it looks like a good concise way to state the deflationist thesis. However, excluded middle refers to a proposition (not-p) that was never mentioned by bivalence. Cf Idea 6163.

Related Idea

Idea 6163 If bivalence is rejected, then excluded middle must also be rejected [Rowlands]