Russell Schema and Paradox

PART 1. Russell’s paradox.

(test video)
Russell’s Paradox
●
(Bertrand) Russell’s paradox
●
Assumption: given a description, there’s a set of just those
things that fit the description
●
Simple example:
– description “is a state in the USA”
– resulting set = set of US states
Russell’s Paradox
●
Most sets we think of are not members of themselves
●
These sets seem “normal”
●
We can describe them.
●
So there should be a set of all sets that aren’t members of
themselves.
Russell’s Paradox
●
Call this set of “normal” sets R.
●
Is R a member of R?
●
If it is, then it isn’t!
– If R is a member of R, by definition it is not a member of itself.
– But if R is a member of R, then R is a member of itself!
Russell’s Paradox
●
What if R is not a member of R?
●
Then it is a member of R!
– If R is not a member of R, it is not a member of itself.
– If R is not a member of itself, it is a member of R.
– Paradox!