A paradox is a statement that seems to contradict itself , or seems to go against itself, but may contain a basic or underlying truth when examined more closely. A paradox may be thought of as working against common sense but seems to be true, or state a truth.
What is a paradox in simple terms?
paradox • PAIR-uh-dahks • noun. 1 a : a statement that is seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense and yet is perhaps true b : a self-contradictory statement that at first seems true 2 : one (as a person, situation, or action) having seemingly contradictory qualities or phases.
What is an example of a paradox?
An example of a paradox is “Waking is dreaming” . A paradox is a figure of speech in which a statement appears to contradict itself. This type of statement can be described as paradoxical. A compressed paradox comprised of just a few words is called an oxymoron.
How do you identify a paradox?
A paradox is a statement, proposition, or situation that seems illogical, absurd or self-contradictory, but which, upon further scrutiny, may be logical or true — or at least contain an element of truth. Paradoxes often express ironies and incongruities and attempt to reconcile seemingly opposing ideas.
What does it mean when a person is a paradox?
A self-contradictory statement, which can only be true if it is false, and vice versa. ... A person or thing having contradictory properties . He is a paradox; you would not expect him in that political party.
What is a good sentence for paradox?
(1) The facts pose something of a paradox. (2) It’s a paradox that in such a rich country there can be so much poverty. (3) It is a curious paradox that professional comedians often have unhappy personal lives. (4) The paradox is that the region’s most dynamic economies have the most primitive financial systems.
What is the purpose of a paradox?
Paradox, apparently self-contradictory statement, the underlying meaning of which is revealed only by careful scrutiny. The purpose of a paradox is to arrest attention and provoke fresh thought .
What is the best paradox?
- THE BOY OR GIRL PARADOX. ...
- THE CARD PARADOX. ...
- THE CROCODILE PARADOX. ...
- THE DICHOTOMY PARADOX. ...
- THE FLETCHER’S PARADOX. ...
- GALILEO’S PARADOX OF THE INFINITE. ...
- THE POTATO PARADOX. ...
- THE RAVEN PARADOX.
What is the difference between oxymoron and paradox?
An oxymoron is the conjunction of two words with meanings that contradict each other. While a paradox is the opposition of ideas or themes, an oxymoron is a contradiction merely between words .
What are some paradoxes in life?
- The Pursuit of Happiness makes you unhappy. ...
- Social media disconnects us from each other. ...
- Solitude makes you more sociable. ...
- The only constant is change. ...
- The only certainty is uncertainty.
What does paradox mean and example?
A paradox is a statement that contradicts itself, or that must be both true and untrue at the same time . ... But a key part of paradoxes is that they at least sound reasonable. They’re not obvious nonsense, and it’s only upon consideration that we realize their self-defeating logic. For example: This statement is a lie.
What happens in a paradox?
The consistency paradox or grandfather paradox
Is love a paradox?
Yes, love is a paradox . It’s both simple and complicated. It makes us feel happier, and more connected than any other feeling. But it can also be the catalyst that pushes us into a hole of depth and despair that’s almost indescribable when we feel disconnected from it.
How do you write a paradox story?
To write a literary paradox, you need a character or situation that combines disparate elements . This is hard to do in the abstract! So it’s usually better to try to observe paradoxes first. Find people or situations in history, in literature, or in real life to act as inspiration for your original literary paradox.
How do you use paradox In a statement?
- In a strange paradox, the medicine made Heather sick before it made her better.
- The idea of being cruel to be kind is a paradox because cruelty is not normally associated with kindness.
- By definition a paradox is two contrasting situations put together to create a provoking idea.
What are some antonyms for paradox?
- normality.
- standard.
- accuracy.
- certainty.
- correction.
- same.
- truth.
- understanding.
