Secrets of the Paradox

Far from merely recycling what we already know about certain paradoxes, Secrets of the Paradox breaks entirely new ground by providing what everyone really wants: solutions. Premonitions and time travel are more the province of scientific rather than logical enquiry, so for those Micheal Winterburn offers thoughts and suggestions.

The king of all paradoxes is the Liar. The Liar is of ancient Greek origin and has been called ‘the granddaddy of all paradoxes’. Originally devised by the philosopher Eubulides in the 6th century B.C., a famous ancient version goes as follows: “Epimenides, the Cretan, says, ‘All Cretans are liars.’ If he is telling the truth he is lying; and if he is lying he is telling the truth.” Throughout all this time, it has resisted every attempt to be fully understood. Secrets of the Paradox unlocks the secrets of the Liar, exposing principles, patterns and formulae that have long lain hidden. Several other important paradoxes also come under the logical searchlight and they too surrender their treasures.

Does the Barber of Seville really shave himself whilst not shaving himself?  Can the crocodile eat the baby, yet still restore it to its mother?  Will Achilles ever catch the tortoise?

“My formal introduction to paradox occurred a little over thirty years ago when I purchased the very slim anthology, Vicious Circles and Infinity. It was packed with all manner of fascinating problems which I quickly discovered had the power to inflict severe mental torment. My first attempt to crack one of these mind-manglers took place shortly afterwards, when I made a few notes on the paradox of Achilles and the Tortoise. I can’t recall exactly when it was I decided that, one day, I should like to write a book that aimed to solve various paradoxes, but it must have been round about that time,” says Micheal D. Winterburn.