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A paradox is a statement that appears at first to be contradictory, but upon reflection then makes sense. This literary device is commonly used to engage a reader to discover an underlying logic in a seemingly self-contradictory statement or phrase.
The special ability of the figure of speech called paradox—which is to simultaneously seem self-contradictory and yet also reveal unexpected meaning—often depends on words that can be interpreted in more than one way.
Jan 20, 2020 · A paradox is a figure of speech in which a statement appears to contradict itself. Learn more with these examples and observations.
figure of speech. hedonistic 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. The statement “Less is more” is an example.
Jun 17, 2024 · A paradox is a form of the figure of speech which when heard or read can seem to be completely self-contradicting. The phrase may be contrary to what is expected in the situation and can lead to a conclusion which is not logically acceptable conclusion.
Paradox. As a figure of speech, it is a seemingly self-contradictory phrase or concept that illuminates a truth. For instance, Wallace Stevens, in “The Snow Man,” describes the “Nothing that is not there and the nothing that is.”.
From Middle French via the Latin paradoxum, meaning “a seemingly absurd yet true statement,” paradox (PAIR-uh-docks) is a figure of speech that seems to contradicts itself but, upon deeper probing, contains some universal insight.
There are many famous examples of paradox from logicians and philosophers. One of the most famous paradoxes is called the liar’s paradox, and is evident in the following sentence: “This statement is false.” Another variation of the liar’s paradox would be, “Everything I say is a lie.”
A paradox is a statement that contradicts itself, or that must be both true and untrue at the same time. Paradoxes are quirks in logic that demonstrate how our thinking sometimes goes haywire, even when we use perfectly logical reasoning to get there. But a key part of paradoxes is that they at least sound reasonable.
A paradox is a seemingly self-contradictory proposition, which upon further exploration reveals a truth or a deeper meaning that isn’t apparent. Paradox, like metaphor, is both a figure of speech and a literary device commonly used by writers to improve their writing and intrigue their readers.
