[math-fun] Smullyan paradox about belief
I recall encountering in one of Raymond Smullyan’s books a thought experiment that convinced me that it is possible to be mistaken about what one believes. That is, one can say “I believe X” and be speaking falsely even though one is not intentionally lying. Does anyone know what thought experiment I’m dimly recalling, and which of his books it appears in? Thanks, Jim Propp
Jim, you “believe” there is such a though experiment?
On May 2, 2019, at 6:52 AM, James Propp <jamespropp@gmail.com> wrote:
I recall encountering in one of Raymond Smullyan’s books a thought experiment that convinced me that it is possible to be mistaken about what one believes. That is, one can say “I believe X” and be speaking falsely even though one is not intentionally lying. Does anyone know what thought experiment I’m dimly recalling, and which of his books it appears in?
Thanks,
Jim Propp _______________________________________________ math-fun mailing list math-fun@mailman.xmission.com https://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/math-fun
I haven't read it through yet, but this looks like it might be what Jim is remembering: http://www.mit.edu/people/dpolicar/writing/prose/text/epistemologicalNightma... On Thu, May 2, 2019 at 7:32 AM Veit Elser <ve10@cornell.edu> wrote:
Jim, you “believe” there is such a though experiment?
On May 2, 2019, at 6:52 AM, James Propp <jamespropp@gmail.com> wrote:
I recall encountering in one of Raymond Smullyan’s books a thought experiment that convinced me that it is possible to be mistaken about what one believes. That is, one can say “I believe X” and be speaking falsely even though one is not intentionally lying. Does anyone know what thought experiment I’m dimly recalling, and which of his books it appears in?
Thanks,
Jim Propp _______________________________________________ math-fun mailing list math-fun@mailman.xmission.com https://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/math-fun
_______________________________________________ math-fun mailing list math-fun@mailman.xmission.com https://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/math-fun
I have, and I don't believe it. In fact, from now on I am going to take great care to avoid believing anything at all. WFL On 5/2/19, Allan Wechsler <acwacw@gmail.com> wrote:
I haven't read it through yet, but this looks like it might be what Jim is remembering:
http://www.mit.edu/people/dpolicar/writing/prose/text/epistemologicalNightma...
On Thu, May 2, 2019 at 7:32 AM Veit Elser <ve10@cornell.edu> wrote:
Jim, you “believe” there is such a though experiment?
On May 2, 2019, at 6:52 AM, James Propp <jamespropp@gmail.com> wrote:
I recall encountering in one of Raymond Smullyan’s books a thought experiment that convinced me that it is possible to be mistaken about what one believes. That is, one can say “I believe X” and be speaking falsely even though one is not intentionally lying. Does anyone know what thought experiment I’m dimly recalling, and which of his books it appears in?
Thanks,
Jim Propp _______________________________________________ math-fun mailing list math-fun@mailman.xmission.com https://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/math-fun
_______________________________________________ math-fun mailing list math-fun@mailman.xmission.com https://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/math-fun
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That was it! Thank you. Jim On Thu, May 2, 2019 at 8:31 AM Allan Wechsler <acwacw@gmail.com> wrote:
I haven't read it through yet, but this looks like it might be what Jim is remembering:
http://www.mit.edu/people/dpolicar/writing/prose/text/epistemologicalNightma...
On Thu, May 2, 2019 at 7:32 AM Veit Elser <ve10@cornell.edu> wrote:
Jim, you “believe” there is such a though experiment?
On May 2, 2019, at 6:52 AM, James Propp <jamespropp@gmail.com> wrote:
I recall encountering in one of Raymond Smullyan’s books a thought experiment that convinced me that it is possible to be mistaken about what one believes. That is, one can say “I believe X” and be speaking falsely even though one is not intentionally lying. Does anyone know what thought experiment I’m dimly recalling, and which of his books it appears in?
Thanks,
Jim Propp _______________________________________________ math-fun mailing list math-fun@mailman.xmission.com https://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/math-fun
_______________________________________________ math-fun mailing list math-fun@mailman.xmission.com https://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/math-fun
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participants (4)
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Allan Wechsler -
Fred Lunnon -
James Propp -
Veit Elser