Inconsistent triad

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Three propositions that cannot all be true together

title: "Inconsistent triad" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["syllogistic-fallacies"] description: "Three propositions that cannot all be true together" topic_path: "general/syllogistic-fallacies" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inconsistent_triad" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Three propositions that cannot all be true together ::

An inconsistent triad is a set of three propositions that cannot all be true together. For example, 'She was an orphan; Tim outlived her; Tim was her father'.

All inconsistent triads lead to trilemmas:

  • If A and B are true, C must be false.
  • If A and C are true, B must be false.
  • If B and C are true, A must be false.

Epistemology

Main article: Epistemology

  1. Knowledge is justified true belief.
  2. Humans cannot provide justification for their beliefs.
  3. Humans possess knowledge.

Political philosophy

Main article: Political philosophy

  1. A just society maximizes individual liberty.
  2. A just society maximizes material equality.
  3. A just society cannot maximize both liberty and equality.

Ethics

Main article: Ethics

  1. Actions that maximize overall well-being are morally right.
  2. Lying can sometimes maximize overall well-being.
  3. Lying is always morally wrong.

References

References

  1. (1996-01-01). "The Oxford companion to philosophy". Choice Reviews Online.
  2. Sullivan, Scott M.. (2005-10-26). "An Introduction To Traditional Logic: Classical Reasoning For Contemporary". Booksurge Publishing.
  3. de Grefte, Job. (2023-02-01). "Knowledge as Justified True Belief". Erkenntnis.
  4. Hume, David. (2020). "An Enquiry concerning Human Understanding". Oxford University Press.
  5. (2008). "Meditations on first philosophy: with selections from the Objections and replies". Oxford University Press.
  6. Nozick, Robert. (1974). "Anarchy, State, and Utopia". Basic Books.
  7. Rawls, John. (1971). "A Theory of Justice: Original Edition". Harvard University Press.
  8. Berlin, Isaiah. (2002-03-07). "Two Concepts of Liberty". Oxford University Press.
  9. Bentham, Jeremy. (1890). "Utilitarianism". Progressive Publishing Company.
  10. Greasley, Kate. (2019). "The Morality of Lying and the Murderer at the Door". Law and Philosophy.
  11. Wood, Allen W.. (2011). "Kant and the right to lie reviewed essay: On a supposed right to lie from philanthropy, by Inmanuel Kant (1797)". Eidos.

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