Epimenides paradox

Paradox revealing a problem with self-reference in logic

The Epimenides paradox has to do with self-reference in logic. It is named after the Cretan philosopher Epimenides of Knossos (alive circa 600 BC) who said: "Cretans, liars always, evil beasts, idle bellies". A typical description of the problem (but with an inaccurate quote) is given in the book Gödel, Escher, Bach, by Douglas Hofstadter: Epimenides was a Cretan who made the immortal statement: "All Cretans are liars." It is often claimed that a paradox of self-reference arises when one considers whether it is possible for Epimenides to have spoken the truth, but in fact there is no paradox because it may simply be a false statement.

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