The Epimenides paradox reveals a problem with self-reference in logic.
It is named after the Cretan philosopher Epimenides of Knossos (alive circa 600 BC) who is credited with the original statement.
A typical description of the problem is given in the book Gödel, Escher, Bach, by Douglas Hofstadter
- Epimenides was a Cretan who made one immortal statement: "All Cretans are liars."
A paradox of self-reference arises when one considers whether it is possible for Epimenides to have spoken the truth.
Read more about Epimenides Paradox: Logical Paradox, Origin of The Phrase, Emergence As A Logical Contradiction
Famous quotes containing the word paradox:
“The conclusion suggested by these arguments might be called the paradox of theorizing. It asserts that if the terms and the general principles of a scientific theory serve their purpose, i. e., if they establish the definite connections among observable phenomena, then they can be dispensed with since any chain of laws and interpretive statements establishing such a connection should then be replaceable by a law which directly links observational antecedents to observational consequents.”
—C.G. (Carl Gustav)