liar paradox

American  

noun

1. a logical paradox that results from consideration of statements of the form “This statement is false.” If the statement is true, then it is false, whereas if it is false, then it is true.

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liar paradox British  

noun

1. logic the paradox that this statement is false is true only if it is false and false only if it is true: attributed to Epimenides the Cretan in the form all Cretans are liars

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Etymology

Origin of liar paradox

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Dialetheists boast that under their view, head-banging conundra like the liar paradox resolve themselves.

From Scientific American • Oct. 16, 2023

Reams of philosophical papers have been devoted to the impressively resilient liar paradox, all in an effort to purge the world of one contradiction.

From Scientific American • Oct. 16, 2023

What would happen if we threw up our hands and accepted the liar paradox as a genuine contradiction?

From Scientific American • Oct. 16, 2023

Because of Aristotle’s law, the contradiction cannot stand, so the liar paradox and hundreds of other known paradoxes beg for resolutions.

From Scientific American • Oct. 16, 2023

Consider the infamous liar paradox: “This sentence is false.”

From Scientific American • Oct. 16, 2023