Paradoxes: Causes & Theory Explained

[jay]

Hai
What makes paradoxes,Are they due to any errors in the theory behind them ?

jay.

 

[Stryker]

The best one can give you is the meaning from the dictionary

1- A seemingly contradictory statement that may nonetheless be true: the paradox that standing is more tiring than walking.

2- One exhibiting inexplicable or contradictory aspects: “The silence of midnight, to speak truly, though apparently a paradox, rung in my ears” (Mary Shelley).

3- An assertion that is essentially self-contradictory, though based on a valid deduction from acceptable premises.

4- A statement contrary to received opinion.

You should be able to figure it out from there.

 

[Chi Meson]

Usually, in science, a paradox indicates that we don't understand something. So, depending on what paradox you're talking about, it could mean any of the things you suggest: the theory could be incomplete (not necessarily wrong, just not yet finished), or the application of the theory is flawed (this is more common), or we simply just don't know what's going on.

The "Twin Paradox" is only a paradox for those who don't correctly understand Special Relativity, for example. THere is no problem with the theory, and the paradox is resolved when you learn more about the theory.

Pure logical paradoxes indicate conditions inherent in language. FOr example: "What is the set of all things that are not part of a set?" THey serve to point out that it is possible to ask questions that have no meaningful answers. It's the linguistic version of an infinite loop.

I believe that "anomalies" are a mathematical equivalent of a theoretical paradox. THis means that if the formulas to a theory are crunched, and you two different values for what should be the same thing, something is obviously wrong with the theory.

 

[quartodeciman]

Sez the atheist: "Get rid of the beard, long hair and robe. That's an old tired cliché. Instead, do something that really awes. Take an episode out of the Twilight Zone or Outer Limits TV show. Don't try to prove anything about your divinity. I'm just not buying. Instead, leave me speechless, even scared."

 

[Chi Meson]

Originally posted by quartodeciman
Sez the atheist: "Get rid of the beard, long hair and robe. That's an old tired cliché. Instead, do something that really awes. Take an episode out of the Twilight Zone or Outer Limits TV show. Don't try to prove anything about your divinity. I'm just not buying. Instead, leave me speechless, even scared."

Well fine, but that's basically what I just said.

 

[quartodeciman]

Sorry! Wrong topic. {BLUSH}