Paradox


From Encyclopedia Britannica (11th edition, 1910)

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Paradox (Gr. irapa, beyond, contrary to, S6Ea, opinion), a proposition or statement which appears to be at variance with generally-received opinion, or which apparently is self-contradictory, absurd or untrue, but either contains a concealed truth or may on examination be proved to be true. A "paradox" has been compared with a "paralogism" (7rapa, X6 yos, reason), as that which is contrary to opinion only and not contrary to reason, but it is frequently used in the sense of that which is really absurd or untrue.