Paraconsistent Measurement of the Circle

Authors

  • Zach Weber University of Otago
  • Maarten McKubre-Jordens University of Canterbury

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26686/ajl.v14i1.4034

Abstract

A theorem from Archimedes on the area of a circle is proved in a setting where some inconsistency is permissible, by using paraconsistent reasoning. The new proof emphasizes that the famous method of exhaustion gives approximations of areas closer than any consistent quantity. This is equivalent to the classical theorem in a classical context, but not in a context where it is possible that there are inconsistent innitesimals. The area of the circle is taken 'up to inconsistency'. The fact that the core of Archimedes's proof still works in a weaker logic is evidence that the integral calculus and analysis more generally are still practicable even in the event of inconsistency.

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Author Biography

Zach Weber, University of Otago

Lecturer, Department of Philosophy

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Published

2017-04-11