Full Idea
The circularity in a definition where the property being defined is used in the definition is now known as 'impredicativity'. ...Some cases ('the tallest man in the room') are unproblematic, as they pick him out, and don't conjure him into existence.
Gist of Idea
Impredicative definitions are circular, but fine for picking out, rather than creating something
Source
Michael Potter (The Rise of Analytic Philosophy 1879-1930 [2020], 07 'Impred')
Book Reference
Potter,Michael: 'The Rise of Anaytic Philosophy 1879-1930' [Routledge 2020], p.50
A Reaction
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