Question on The Dichotomy Paradox

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around Zeno's Dichotomy Paradox, which posits that to reach a destination, one must first cover half the distance, then half of the remaining distance, and so on, leading to the conclusion that movement is impossible. Participants explore the implications of this paradox in relation to concepts of distance and movement.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Debate/contested, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes the paradox and questions why movement is considered impossible, suggesting that an object can begin moving and cover distances progressively.
  • Another participant identifies the paradox as Zeno's paradox and provides a link for further reading.
  • A later reply seeks clarification on the truth of the paradox, indicating a desire to understand its implications.
  • Another participant asserts that the paradox is not true, attributing it to a limited understanding of mathematics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the validity of the paradox, with some questioning its implications and others asserting it is not true. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the nature of the paradox and its interpretations.

Contextual Notes

Participants do not reach a consensus on the validity of the paradox or its implications for understanding movement and distance.

LGram16
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Okay, I didn't really know where to post this, but whenever I hear about this paradox it is in a conversation relating to physics. Anyway, for those that don't know the paradox, it states that to get to point 'B', one must get halfway there before they can be all the way there. And to get halfway there, they must get halfway to halfway there (1/4) and so on. In saying this, it is rendered impossible to get to your destination. I am asking why. The distance you are at acts much like an asymptote, getting closer and closer to 0, while never reaching it. If it never reaches 0, then shouldn't there always be a distance to travel, no matter how far you break down 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64, 1/128 and so on? If there is always a distance to move, than it is possible to begin moving, correct? The paradox assumes that movement is impossible because the pattern continues infinitely, meaning there is no beginning distance for the smallest halfway point to begin, which is true, but the smallest is not needed because an object can simply begin moving, speedily making it's way to 1/4 the distance, and then to 1/2, and finally to point B from point A. Just a thought I had, and wanted to share it with others to see if I was right or wrong.
 
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Gordianus said:
The paradox you're referring to is a very old one and is called Zeno's paradox. It's over two thousand years old.
Check the following link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeno's_paradoxes

I know. I meant how is it true?
 
It isn't true. (assuming you mean how is it a real paradox) It's basically just a product of an underdeveloped understanding of math (at best!).
 

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