Author: Huseyn Gurbanov
I. The Nature of Paradox A paradox arises not from reality itself, but from confusion in defining the relationship between concepts.
II. The Law of Positional Dependence Every concept exists either as leading or following.
The leading defines, sets the frame.
The following depends, reflects, obeys. A paradox is an illusion born when this dependence is ignored.
III. The Universal Key To resolve a paradox, ask:
What is leading?
What is following? Once the position is clear, the contradiction dissolves.
IV. Examples
Chicken and Egg: chicken is leading, egg is following → chicken is primary.
Achilles and the Tortoise: Achilles’ movement is leading, tortoise’s marks are following → Achilles catches up.
Ship of Theseus: identity is leading, parts are following → the ship remains itself.
Schrödinger’s Cat: observation is leading, state of the cat is following → paradox disappears.
Arrow of Zeno: movement is leading, moment of time is following → the arrow moves.
V. Meaning This method is not only philosophical. It applies to science, ethics, logic, artificial intelligence. It teaches us to see order where chaos seems to reign.
VI. Conclusion A paradox is not the enemy of reason, but its trial. Resolving a paradox means restoring the proper order of concepts. Truth is clarity of position.
Table of Paradoxes (English Version)
Paradox
Formulation
Leading Concept
Following Concept
Resolution
Chicken and Egg
“Which came first?”
Chicken
Egg
Egg depends on chicken → chicken is primary.
Achilles and the Tortoise
Achilles never catches the tortoise
Achilles’ movement
Tortoise’s marks
Movement is positional → Achilles catches up.
Liar Paradox
“This statement is false”
Truth
Statement
Statement cannot define its own truth → outside the system.
Ship of Theseus
Replace all parts: is it the same ship?
Identity
Material parts
Identity defines the object → ship remains itself.
Zeno’s Arrow
At each moment the arrow is still
Movement as process
Moment of time
Movement is defined by process → arrow moves.
Crocodile Paradox
Crocodile promises return if father guesses correctly
Crocodile’s action
Father’s prediction
Prediction depends on action → paradox dissolves.
Schrödinger’s Cat
Cat is both alive and dead until observed
Observation
Cat’s state
State depends on observation → paradox disappears.
Artificial Intelligence
Autonomy vs human control
System’s goal
Degree of autonomy
Autonomy depends on goal → AI is autonomous only within defined purpose.
Time Travel
Traveler kills grandfather before birth
Line of causality
Traveler’s action
Action depends on causality → cannot break the leading structure.
