Questioning Gödel's Ontological Proof: Is Truth Positive?

Authors

  • Gregor Damschen Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24204/ejpr.v3i1.386

Abstract

In his “Ontological proof”, Kurt Gödel introduces the notion of a second-order value property, the positive property P. The second axiom of the proof states that for any property φ: If φ is positive, its negation is not positive, and vice versa. I put forward that this concept of positiveness leads into a paradox when we apply it to the following self-reflexive sentences: (A) The truth value of A is not positive; (B) The truth value of B is positive. Given axiom 2, sentences A and B paradoxically cannot be both true or both false, and it is also impossible that one of the sentences is true whereas the other is false. 

Downloads

Published

2011-03-21

How to Cite

Damschen, Gregor. 2011. “Questioning Gödel’s Ontological Proof: Is Truth Positive?”. European Journal for Philosophy of Religion 3 (1):161-69. https://doi.org/10.24204/ejpr.v3i1.386.

Issue

Section

Research Articles