A Dichotomic Analysis of the Surprise Examination Paradox
Franceschi, Paul (2005) A Dichotomic Analysis of the Surprise Examination Paradox .
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Abstract
This paper proposes a new framework to solve the surprise examination paradox. I survey preliminary the main contributions to the literature related to the paradox. I introduce then a distinction between a monist and a dichotomic analysis of the paradox. With the help of a matrix notation, I also present a dichotomy that leads to distinguish two basically and structurally different notions of surprise, which are respectively based on a conjoint and a disjoint structure. I describe then how Quine's solution and Hall's reduction apply to the version of the paradox corresponding to the conjoint structure. Lastly, I expose a solution to the version of the paradox based on the disjoint structure.
| Keywords: | surprise exam paradox, vagueness, backward induction, self-reference, paradox |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | General Issues: Explanation |
| ID Code: | 4170 |
| Deposited By: | Franceschi, Paul |
| Deposited On: | 22 August 2008 |
| Additional Information: | published version of preprint 621 |
Available Versions of this Item
- A Dichotomic Analysis of the Surprise Examination Paradox (deposited 20 April 2002)
- A Dichotomic Analysis of the Surprise Examination Paradox (deposited 22 August 2008) [Currently Displayed]