Q&A: Regarding paradoxes in the lecture series “Positivism in Jewish Law and in General”
Regarding paradoxes in the lecture series “Positivism in Jewish Law and in General”
Question
Hello Rabbi,
The Rabbi said in the third lecture of “Positivism in Jewish Law and in General” that a true statement is a statement whose content is correct.
And at the beginning of the lecture, the Rabbi argued that in the statement: “This statement is true” — if it is true, then there is no problem with the statement,
and if it is false, then the statement is true as well.
I find the highlighted part difficult. If it is a false statement, then its content (that the statement is true) is not correct.
Thank you.
Answer
I didn’t say that in every case it is true. On the contrary, I said that if it is true then it is true, and if it is false then it is false. Therefore this statement can take on two truth values, and in each of them remain consistent. That is why it is defined as an anti-paradox. See column 195–196.