The Impact of Using Multi-Dimensional and Combinatory Vague Terms on the Possibility of Formulating Sorites Paradoxes

ŠTĚPÁNEK, Jan. The Impact of Using Multi-Dimensional and Combinatory Vague Terms on the Possibility of Formulating Sorites Paradoxes. Organon F : international journal of analytic philosophy. Bratislava: Filozofický ústav SAV, 2014, vol. 21, Supplementary Issue 1, p. 185-198. ISSN 1335-0668.

Basic information

• Original name: The Impact of Using Multi-Dimensional and Combinatory Vague Terms on the Possibility of Formulating Sorites Paradoxes
• Authors: ŠTĚPÁNEK, Jan (203 Czech Republic, guarantor, belonging to the institution).
• Edition: Organon F : international journal of analytic philosophy, Bratislava, Filozofický ústav SAV, 2014, 1335-0668.

Other information

• Original language: English
• Type of outcome: Article in a journal
• Field of Study: 60300 6.3 Philosophy, Ethics and Religion
• Country of publisher: Slovakia
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• WWW: URL
• RIV identification code: RIV/00216224:14210/14:00076453
• Organization unit: Faculty of Arts
• UT WoS: 000344579400013
• Keywords in English: combinatory vagueness; linear vagueness; multi-dimensional vagueness; paradox; Paradox of the Heap; sorites; vagueness
• Tags: rivok
• Tags: International impact, Reviewed

Abstract

We cannot definitely determine precise boundaries of application of vague terms like "tall". Since it is only a height of a person that determines whether that person is tall or not, we can count "tall" as an example of a linear vague term. That means that all objects in a range of significance of "tall" can be linearly ordered. Linear vague terms can be used to formulate three basic versions of the sorites paradox – the conditional sorites, the mathematical induction sorites, and the line-drawing sorites. In this paper I would like to explore a possibility of formulating sorites paradoxes with so called multi-dimensional and combinatory vague terms – terms for which it is impossible to create a linear ordering of all objects in their range of significance. Therefore, I will show which adjustments must be made and which simplifications we must accede to in order to formulate any version of the sorites paradox with multi-dimensional or combinatory vague terms. I will also show that only the conditional version of the sorites paradox can be construed with all three kinds of vague terms.

Links

• MUNI/A/0803/2013, interní kód MU: Name: Proměny a konstanty soudobé filozofie

Investor: Masaryk University, Category A