Ein epistemischer Lösungsvorschlag für das Kahlkopfparadox

Abstract

In this essay an epistemic solution to the Bald Man Paradox is suggested. Pre- supposing classical logic and minimal additional premises it is shown that there is a sharp border for baldness. In the course of that it is argued that the same argument can be given regarding alternative many-valued logics. Following this we formulate a plausible principle of imperfect soritical knowledge (ISK), with the aid of which it is shown that the concrete value of the sharp border is un- known. The proposed solution of the Bald Man Paradox will then be compared with Williamson's solution to the Sorites Paradox. In the end it is argued that the tolerance principle derives its plausibility from an ambiguity of the word "false". To this end it is shown that there is an equivalent formulation of the tolerance principle in Ulrich Blau's three-valued logic which is consistent with the existence of a sharp border.