A paradox presents a contradiction.
A paradox is a rhetorical figure that consists of the use of expressions that involve a contradiction . This means that, beyond the contradictory conditions, the factors presented are valid, real or plausible. The term comes from the Latin paradoxus (which, in turn, has its origin in the Greek language).
For example: “He is such a poor person that the only thing he has is a lot of money” , “The goodness of his actions only ended up generating great evil” , “To get there quickly, there is nothing better than going slowly” .
Types of paradoxes
It is important to establish that there are many types of paradoxes. Thus, specifically, two large groups are determined in order to carry out their classification. In this way, on the one hand there are paradoxes based on their veracity and on the other those that are ordered based on the area of knowledge in which they are used or developed.
In the first large group, we find four fundamental types of paradoxes:
- Antinomies . They are those that give rise to a result that contradicts itself.
- Conditionals . This term is the one used to define all those paradoxes that are used to make certain assumptions clear.
- Of definition. They have the particularity that they are those paradoxes that have as their fundamental pillar a definition that is not clear at all, on the contrary, it is completely ambiguous.
- True . Under this name are paradoxes that seem to give rise to a result that is absurd , but can be demonstrated in a simple way that they are true.
In the second large group, in which the classification is based on the areas of knowledge in which they are used, we have to highlight the existence of the following types of paradoxes:
- Economy . There are many and varied paradoxes in this area: of value, of savings, of Gibson , of Parrondo ...
- Mathematics . Within this aforementioned classification we would have to highlight the existence of another subgroup: logic , infinity, probability...
- Physics . Among the best known are that of Bell , that of Young or that of the twins.
A paradox can expose opposing ideas.
Opposite ideas
Paradoxes are also ideas that are contrary to people's usual opinions and feelings. Absurd assertions that appear to be true can be called paradox.
Some situations in life are paradoxical when faced with the absurd or unfair: “What a paradox: he worked all his life to buy a house and, one day after moving, he died of cardiac arrest,” “It is paradoxical that supporters support a coach.” who has lost ten consecutive games.”
Popular paradoxes
A very popular paradox is the phrase “This sentence is false.” If the sentence is really false, the statement itself turns out to be true (since the sentence is false). On the other hand, if the falsehood stated is real, the sentence can never be false.
Something similar happens with the expression “I always lie.” If the person in question says something, it would logically be a lie (because they always lie). But the same sentence is self-denying (if I always tell lies, when I claim to lie, I am lying: therefore, am I telling the truth?).