Paradox and argumentation: From rhetoric to the refinement of mathematics

Authors

  • Sebastià Serrano University of Barcelona (Spain).

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7203/metode.6.4553

Keywords:

rhetoric, logic, argumentation, paradox, self-reference

Abstract

Paradoxes –?and the problem they present for logic?– can be traced as a subject for reflection from the Sophists to contemporary language philosophers and mathematicians, visiting Aristotle, Abel and Russell along the way, during which time rhetorical algebra transitioned into syncopated algebra and then to symbolic algebra. The paradox can be seen as an obstacle to aseptic reasoning, but it can also act as a compelling stimulus for imagination and the practice of argumentation or persuasion, a rhetorical tool that has encouraged rigorous thinking throughout history, in an attempt to avoid «concealed» lies in all kinds of discourses. It is, therefore, a challenge that inspires creativity within a culture indebted to the rhetorical tradition.

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Author Biography

Sebastià Serrano, University of Barcelona (Spain).

Full Professor Emeritus of Linguistics at the University of Barcelona (Spain). He published several studies on linguistics, semiotics and communication theory. He received the St. George’s Cross Award from the Catalan government in 2003. His first book, Elementos de lingüística matemática (“Elements of mathematical linguistics”, Anagrama, 1975) won the Anagrama Essay Award. Two of his most recent books are La fiesta de los sentidos (“The festival of senses”, Now Books, 2009) and Del amor, la mentira y la persuasión (“Of love, lies and persuasion”, Destino, 2013).

References

Hofstadter, D. R. (1979). Gödel, Escher, Bach: An eternal golden brain. New York: Basic Books.

Nagel, E., & Newman, J. R. (1970). El teorema de Gödel. Madrid: Tecnos.

Serrano, S. (1985). La paradoxa. Barcelona: Planeta. Serrano, S. (1996). Comunicació, llenguatge i societat. Barcelona: Edicions 62.

Vega Reñón, L., & Olmos González, P. (Eds.). (2011). Compendio de lógica, argumentación y retórica. Madrid: Trotta.

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Published

2016-04-15

How to Cite

Serrano, S. (2016). Paradox and argumentation: From rhetoric to the refinement of mathematics. Metode Science Studies Journal, (6), 99–105. https://doi.org/10.7203/metode.6.4553
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Issue

Science grid: The public understanding of science (2016)

Section

Word of Science. The rhetoric of scientific communication

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