The Epimenides paradox reveals a problem with self-reference in logic. It is named after the Cretan philosopher Epimenides of Knossos (alive circa 600 BC) who is credited with the original statement.[1] A typical description of the problem is given in the book Gödel, Escher, Bach, by Douglas Hofstadter:
Epimenides was a Cretan who made the immortal statement: "All Cretans are liars."[a]
A paradox of self-reference arises when one considers whether it is possible for Epimenides to have spoken the truth.
- ^ Diels-Kranz: Die Fragmente der Vorsokratiker, 2005, I 3B1 (a fragment attributed to Epimenides and quoted by Clement of Alexandria).
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