A type-theoretical Curry paradox and its solution

Abstract The Curry–Howard correspondence, according to which propositions are types, suggests that every paradox formulable in natural deduction has a type-theoretical counterpart. I will give a purely type-theoretical formulation of Curry’s paradox. On the basis of the definition of a type $\Gamma (A)$, Curry’s reasoning can be adapted to show the existence of an object of the arbitrary type A. This is paradoxical for several reasons, among others that A might be an empty type. The solution to the paradox consists in seeing that $\Gamma (A)$ is not a well-defined type.

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Publication Details

Journal
The Philosophical Quarterly
Published
2025-03-05
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1093/pq/pqaf019
Primary Topic
Logic, programming, and type systems
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

A type-theoretical Curry paradox and its solution

Ansten Klev
The Philosophical Quarterly
Logic, programming, and type systems
article

A type-theoretical Curry paradox and its solution

Ansten Klev
article en

Abstract

Abstract The Curry–Howard correspondence, according to which propositions are types, suggests that every paradox formulable in natural deduction has a type-theoretical counterpart. I will give a purely type-theoretical formulation of Curry’s paradox. On the basis of the definition of a type $\Gamma (A)$, Curry’s reasoning can be adapted to show the existence of an object of the arbitrary type A. This is paradoxical for several reasons, among others that A might be an empty type. The solution to the paradox consists in seeing that $\Gamma (A)$ is not a well-defined type.

The Philosophical QuarterlyVol. 75(2)
Institute of Philosophy of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SK), Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Philosophy (CZ)
Akademie Věd České Republiky
Openalex Percentile: Top 97%
Logic, programming, and type systems
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