Patrick Grim

Definitions drawn from the literature show that the central notion of contradiction is neither simple nor agreed upon. Contradiction has been outlined ontologically, semantically, syntactically, and in terms of assertion and denial; interpretations of the Law of Non-Contradiction (LNC) and of Dialetheism will vary accordingly. Does the range of different concepts of contradiction allow at least some easy cases in deciding for or against Dialetheism or the LNC? Even that attempt, it turns out, quickly faces a crucial impasse regarding exclusionary negation, here outlined in terms of ‘not’. This chapter explores possible responses to the impasse, on both sides, but offers no logically coercive solution.