paradoxical etymology

Etymology

  • Paradoxical is derived from the Greek words "paradoxon" (παράδοξον), meaning "contrary to expectation," and "logos" (λόγος), meaning "word" or "reason."

Meaning

A paradox is a statement or situation that seems contradictory or absurd but may nonetheless be true. It often involves an inherent contradiction that challenges conventional wisdom or logical reasoning.

Origin

The term "paradox" first emerged in the 5th century BC in the writings of Greek philosophers. Notable examples include:

  • Epimenides' Paradox: "All Cretans are liars." If this is true, then Epimenides, who is a Cretan, must also be lying. This leads to a logical contradiction.
  • Zeno's Paradoxes: Zeno of Elea argued that motion and change are impossible because they involve logical contradictions. His paradox of Achilles and the tortoise illustrates the idea that something can never catch up to something infinitely slow.

Paradoxes have been a source of fascination and debate for centuries. They challenge our assumptions, force us to think critically, and can lead to new insights and discoveries.

paradoxical relate terms

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