Medieval Sophismata

Origin. 13th-14th century. Bradwardine, Heytesbury, Kilvington. Puzzle sentences. Logical analysis. Foundation of semantic puzzles.

Models. Problematic sentences analyzed. Quantifier scope. Self-reference. Semantic paradoxes. Logical distinctions.

Formalism.

Sophisma types: Grammatical: unusual constructions. Logical: quantifier/scope issues. Physical: motion, change puzzles. Self-referential: semantic paradoxes.

Example sophismata: "Omnis homo est omnis homo" (Every man is every man). Is it true? Depends on supposition. Scope ambiguity.

Insolubilia (semantic paradoxes): "What I am saying is false." Self-reference. Medieval Liar paradox. Various solutions proposed.

Solutions to Liar: Cassation: sentence says nothing. Restriction: can't refer to self. Secundum quid: true in one way, false in another. Multiple approaches.

Quantifier puzzles: "Infinitely many are finite." De dicto vs de re. Scope distinctions. Syncategorematic terms.

Heytesbury's rules: Rules for solving sophismata. Systematic method. Distinguish senses. Apply supposition theory.

Analysis method: State sophisma. Arguments pro and contra. Identify ambiguity/fallacy. Give solution. Reply to objections.

Symbols.

Term	Latin	Meaning
sophisma	sophisma	puzzle sentence
insolubile	insolubile	insoluble (paradox)
propositio	propositio	proposition
sensus	sensus	sense/reading

Metatheory. Puzzle analysis. Scope ambiguity. Self-reference. Systematic method.

Applies to. Medieval logic. Paradoxes. Semantics. Philosophy of language.

Limitations. Historical. Specialized. Latin. Interpretive challenges.