Paradox: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ค
paradox
[ หpรฆrษหdษks ]
philosophy
A paradox is a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true.
Synonyms
anomaly, contradiction, enigma.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| paradox |
A situation or statement that seems self-contradictory or absurd but may in fact be true. Often used in literature, philosophy, and science to describe situations where two seemingly opposite truths coexist.
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| contradiction |
A situation where two statements or conditions are in direct opposition to each other, making it impossible for both to be true simultaneously. Often used in logical, literary, or rhetorical contexts.
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| anomaly |
A situation or data point that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected, often used in scientific, technical, or analytical discussions.
|
| enigma |
Something or someone that is mysterious, puzzling, or hard to understand. Frequently used to describe complex problems, situations, or people.
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Examples of usage
- The paradox of tolerance states that if a society is tolerant without limit, its ability to be tolerant is eventually seized or destroyed by the intolerant.
- The grandfather paradox is a hypothetical paradox in time travel which a person could go back in time and kill their own grandfather before their mother or father was conceived, thus preventing their own existence.
- Zeno's paradoxes of motion are a set of philosophical problems generally thought to have been devised by Greek philosopher Zeno of Elea to support Parmenides's doctrine that there is no motion.
logic
A statement that, despite apparently valid reasoning from true premises, leads to an apparently self-contradictory or logically unacceptable conclusion.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| paradox |
A situation or statement that seems contradictory or against common sense, yet might be true.
|
| riddle |
A question or statement intentionally phrased to require clever or unexpected thinking in order to find the answer; often used in games or literature.
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| puzzle |
A problem or enigma that requires thought and effort to solve, often referring to a game or mental challenge.
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| mystery |
Something that is difficult or impossible to understand, explain, or identify.
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Examples of usage
- The liar paradox is a classic example of a self-referential paradox, arising from the statement 'This statement is false.'
- Russell's paradox is a famous paradox within set theory that arises when considering a set of all sets that do not contain themselves.
Translations
Translations of the word "paradox" in other languages:
๐ต๐น paradoxo
๐ฎ๐ณ เคตเคฟเคฐเฅเคงเคพเคญเคพเคธ
๐ฉ๐ช Paradoxon
๐ฎ๐ฉ paradoks
๐บ๐ฆ ะฟะฐัะฐะดะพะบั
๐ต๐ฑ paradoks
๐ฏ๐ต ้่ชฌ (ใใใใใค)
๐ซ๐ท paradoxe
๐ช๐ธ paradoja
๐น๐ท paradoks
๐ฐ๐ท ์ญ์ค (้่ชช)
๐ธ๐ฆ ู ูุงุฑูุฉ
๐จ๐ฟ paradox
๐ธ๐ฐ paradox
๐จ๐ณ ๆ่ฎบ (bรจi lรนn)
๐ธ๐ฎ paradoks
๐ฎ๐ธ รพversรถgn
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะฟะฐัะฐะดะพะบั
๐ฌ๐ช แแแ แแแแฅแกแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ paradoks
๐ฒ๐ฝ paradoja
Etymology
The word 'paradox' originated from the Greek word 'paradoxon,' meaning 'contrary to expectation, incredible.' The concept of paradoxes has been present in various fields such as philosophy, logic, and mathematics throughout history. Philosophers like Zeno of Elea and Heraclitus often used paradoxes to challenge conventional thinking and explore deeper truths. Paradoxes continue to fascinate thinkers and puzzle minds, leading to ongoing debates and discussions about the nature of truth and logic.