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Are all non self-referential statements true or false?

It is well known that there exists self-referential statements which are neither true or false, such as "I am lying". Is it possible to have statements neither true or false which are not self-referential? Consider the statement, "Alice likes…
Kenshin
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Relation between Existence of Free Will and Existence of the Self

So, I am a student in mathematics and physics with no formal training in philosophy whatsoever, although I enjoy reading popular discussions of philosophical questions. However, my question is bound to be vague and badly phrased, for which I…
Scipio
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What are some arguments for the golden ratio making things more aesthetically pleasing?

What are some (not necessarily good) arguments that painters, architects, designers, musicians, etc. basing their work on the golden ratio φ makes their work more aesthetically pleasing? I think these lines of reasoning are heard the most: (a) The…
Michael Smith
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What is the contrast between Hume's and Locke's philosophies of science?

I'm writing an essay on Hume and was hoping to contrast his empiricism to Locke's in it. I have come across a commentary, which doesn't go into great depth; could someone explain it in a little greater detail to me? "Hume's method proceeds from…
Maths That Imo
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What is the difference between a formal fallacy and an informal fallacy?

I am trying to find a clear definition of a formal fallacy and an informal fallacy. Wikipedia gives the following definition: Informal fallacies – arguments that are fallacious for reasons other than structural (formal) flaws and usually require…
Casebash
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Please explain perspectivism to me

I was wondering if someone could please explain Nietzsche's perspectivism to me. I used to think that it was similar to Descartes' method of thinking. That everything was subjective because everything is experienced through human consciousness which…
David Smith
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Defining terms in philosophy?

I always enjoyed philosophy, but I never thought to ask this question when I was still taking philosophy classes. So, I thought this was a good way to see what "philosophy" people think of this. When you spend time trying to define terms in…
Justin Young
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When trying to identify causality, do we assume "nearness" between cause and effect?

When asking people what causes what, it seems that they assume that causality has something to do with "temporal nearness" and "space nearness". That is: If I turn on the light switch and the lamp turn on a short time after that, then the light…
Red Banana
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Are all interactions between genders/sexes sexist?

I've been thinking about this for a while, so I thought I'd ask it here. Are all interactions between genders technically sexist as defined by the English language? Using the thought process below, I seem to arrive at the conclusion that all…
0-60FPS
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Is the human mind immune to paradox?

In the sense of why the Barber in the Barber Paradox doesn't go mad or enter an infinite decision loop. What makes our minds paradox proof? Can an artificial intelligence be made paradox proof? I know that the exact functioning of mind is not known…
user2411
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Thus spoke Zarathustra, "Even the wisest among you is only a conflict and mix of plant and ghost"

My scope is mathematical philosophy and, generally, epistemology. Hence, Nietzsche's style is quite alien to me, and I started reading his book "Thus Spoke Zarathustra". I am trying to decipher this: Even the wisest among you is only a conflict and…
user00000
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Is "Don't blame me; I voted for ___" a bad argument?

Is there a fallacy in the argument, "Don't blame me; I voted for ..."? Or is a voter's entire responsibility for their contribution to whatever current state of political affairs they experience entirely waived because they voted for a candidate(s)…
xuinkrbin.
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Is there a difference between lying and not saying anything?

In a five minute audio excerpt from the book Lying by Sam Harris he argues lying is bad. If I have done something bad, and I don't want my friend to know it, isn't is equally bad to lie about it as hiding it or saying "I prefer not to answer". For…
jacob
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In Aristotle, What does it mean for something to be predicated?

I am studying Aristotle's views on substance, and in the narratives of his work, the term 'predicated' is used with great frequency, though not at all defined. In Googling the meaning of 'predicated', I get this: Predicated: 'state, affirm, or…
user2901512
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What does Whitehead mean by calling science anti-rational?

In Science and the Modern World, Whitehead writes: Science has never shaken off the impress of its origin in the historical revolt of the later renaissance. It has remained predominantly an anti-rationalistic movement, based upon a naive faith.…
Mozibur Ullah
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