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Single Idea 10121

[filed under theme 5. Theory of Logic / D. Assumptions for Logic / 3. Contradiction ]

Full Idea

Contradiction is not a sign of falsity, nor the lack of contradiction a sign of truth.

Gist of Idea

Contradiction is not a sign of falsity, nor lack of contradiction a sign of truth

Source

Blaise Pascal (works [1660]), quoted by A.George / D.J.Velleman - Philosophies of Mathematics Ch.6

Book Ref

George,A/Velleman D.J.: 'Philosophies of Mathematics' [Blackwell 2002], p.164

A Reaction

[Quoted in Auden and Kronenberger's Book of Aphorisms] Presumably we would now say that contradiction is a purely formal, syntactic notion, and not a semantic one. If you hit a contradiction, something has certainly gone wrong.

The 5 ideas with the same theme [when two statements are in logical conflict]:

10121 Contradiction is not a sign of falsity, nor lack of contradiction a sign of truth [Pascal]
2111 Falsehood involves a contradiction, and truth is contradictory of falsehood [Leibniz]
18736 Contradiction is between two rules, not between rule and reality [Wittgenstein]
23496 Two colours in the same place is ruled out by the logical structure of colour [Wittgenstein]
12194 Contradictions include 'This is red and not coloured', as well as the formal 'B and not-B' [Rumfitt]