Paradox and Consistency

I am fascinated by paradox. I am interested in the possibility of logical systems which are not consistent but where the inconsistency is somehow limited, so that it does not propagate and pollute the whole system. I am unhappy with systems where, given any inconsistency, any theorem can be proven.

I suspect that there may be much existing work in this area. Certainly I am aware of Russel's "set of all sets that do not contain themselves". And with Godel (although I probably do not understand Godel as well as I would like.). I should probably research the literature.

But since this is a hobby, I thought I might begin by writing down some simple observations. Not new - not to me, and probably well known.

But fun.

Consider simple systems of statements:

A single statement system:

S0: "This statement is false." The classic Liar's Paradox. The statement is neither false nor true: some say that it reflects an extra logic value, "paradox". Three valued logic.

A two statement system:

S1: "S2 is false"
S2: "S1 is false"

This system is self referential, but not necessarily paradoxical. It might be that S1 is true, in which case S2 is false, confirming that S1 is true. Or, vice versa. Thus, it is not contradictory. Either situation is consistent. But, from the outside, we don't know which.

What should we call this? Bistable? Metastable, if more than 2 stable states? Unknowable?

A three statement system:

S1: "S2 is false"
S2: "S3 is false"
S3: "S4 is false"

This is paradoxical, in the same way that the single statement Liar's Paradox is paradoxical.

Conjecture: I suspect that be a true paradox, then the feedback loop must have an odd number of stages. Whereas to be bistable or metastable, it must have an even number of stages.

Compare to inverter rings or storage bitcells with cross coupled inverters in computer electronics.

Q: can you construct a system that has interescting self referential rings of odd and even length?