On modelling vagueness - and not modelling incommensurability

Robert Sugden

doi:10.1111/j.1467-8349.2009.00174.x

On modelling vagueness - and not modelling incommensurability

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Abstract

This paper defines and analyses the concept of a ‘ranking problem’. In a ranking problem, a set of objects, each of which possesses some common property P to some degree, are ranked by P-ness. I argue that every eligible answer to a ranking problem can be expressed as a complete and transitive ‘is at least as P as’ relation. Vagueness is expressed as a multiplicity of eligible rankings. Incommensurability, properly understood, is the absence of a common property P. Trying to analyse incommensurability in the same framework as ranking problems causes unnecessary confusion.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	95-113
Number of pages	19
Journal	Proceedings Of The Aristotelian Society (Paperback)
Volume	Supplementary 83
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8349.2009.00174.x
Publication status	Published - Jun 2009

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10.1111/j.1467-8349.2009.00174.x

Cite this

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