An inconsistent triad consists of three propositions of which at most two can be true. For example:
- Alice loves me.
- If Alice loves me, she would have sent flowers.
- Alice hasn't sent flowers.
If one finds oneself believing all three propositions of an inconsistent triad, then (to be rational) one must give up or modify at least one of those beliefs. Maybe Alice doesn't love me, or maybe she wouldn't send flowers to me if she did, or maybe she actually has sent flowers.
Read more about Inconsistent Triad: The Problem of Evil
Famous quotes containing the word inconsistent:
“We often think ourselves inconsistent creatures, when we are the furthest from it, and all the variety of shapes and contradictory appearances we put on, are in truth but so many different attempts to gratify the same governing appetite.”
—Laurence Sterne (1713–1768)