Autodescriptivity: Beware!

Brink, C., Rewitzky, I. M. and Schmidt, R. A. (1991)

The Computer Journal 34 (4) 380-381. BiBTeX, DOI Link.

Non-classical logics, and in particular many-valued logics, are increasingly used in the study of formal aspects of computing. or example, a recent paper by P.F. Gibbins in this Journal presents a 3-valued propositional logic for VDM. In the use of such logics one naturally relies on earlier work done by logicians, a case in point being Gibbin's use of the concept of autodescriptivity, introduced by N. Rescher. The purpose of this Note is to sound a warning that Rescher's exposition of autodescriptivity is seriously flawed, and to clarify the autodescriptivity of the logic of VDM.


Renate A. Schmidt
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