Life is full of contradictions, something we usually try to avoid. And yet, have you ever read a statement or problem that either appears to produce two completely contradictory (but possible) outcomes, or seems to prove something we can’t expect? This is a paradox. They can be mind-blowing, yet also fun to contemplate.

For example, imagine a footrace between the Greek hero Achilles and a tortoise. Achilles challenges the tortoise, but gives him a 500-meter head start to make things fairer. Of course, the swift Achilles quickly reaches the 500-meter mark, but by then the tortoise has reached the 550-meter mark. When the Greek hero has traversed the additional 50 meters, the tortoise has moved on another five meters. Five meters further for Achilles, but the tortoise has gone an additional half meter. Another half-meter for Achilles, but…

I think you can see where this is going. Theoretically (if not logically), Achilles will never catch up because the tortoise is always moving forward, no matter how small the difference becomes.

If this type of logic doesn’t cause your head to spin, you should read “20 Paradoxes That Will Boggle Your Mind” by Paul Anthony Jones on the Pocket website: https://getpocket.com/explore/item/20-paradoxes-that-will-boggle-your-mind?. That is, as long as I’m not held responsible for any resulting “cognitive dissidence.”