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On the problem with classification (ie, Russell’s paradox) and its consequences
When we discuss reality, we first classify it by our words. Russell’s paradox tells us that this classification also restricts what we can say about reality.
The restriction resides in that classification fundamentally is dichotomous and that we therefore can’t classify a dichotomous process consistently, but instead run into a paradox (ie, Russell’s paradox) in every such attempt, and that we therefore can’t discuss such a process unambiguously, because a paradox can’t be real. The restriction is thus that we can’t discuss a dichotomous process unambiguously, but that such a discussion instead has to be either contradictory or ambiguous.
The problem with this restriction is that the thing with call “truth” resides in this black hole between contradiction and ambiguity. This problem is the reason for the ancient split between the two branches of rationality that we call (class) realism and nominalism, the former believing that there is something we can find in this black hole, and the latter understanding that there isn’t. By this, this restriction is the seed for many of the conflicts in the world.
However, after Bertrand Russell formulated this paradox in 1901, we can understand that (class) realists are wrong. There isn’t any “truth” to be found in the place where it should be, meaning that there simply isn’t any single truth to be found. So, if all of us could agree about this fundamental fact, then much would be won for science. However, (class) realists (like cladists and particle physicists) does not give up that easily. Instead, they both claim that this “truth” can be found (ie, cladists), and that they “think they have got it” (ie, particle physicists). They simply refuse to admit that it can’t be found and that they will never “get it”.
This problem is thus actually a futile property of classification, but has the potential to grow into a world war between us humans that can blow up the planet. Isn’t this the best characterization of the ape that calls itself human? – The only animal that can destroy its home because of a brain ghost. Our brains lead us to victory, but it is ultimately a Pyrrhus victory.
Another contribution to understanding of conceptualization http://menvall.wordpress.com/
Source: https://menvall.wordpress.com/2015/05/12/on-the-problem-with-classification-ie-russells-paradox-and-its-consequences/
