Thought provoking .... Philosophical Paradox.?

Question

Riddle me this ..... Riddle me that...

Zenos, an ancient greek philosopher has some pretty good paradox`s about movement. Or the motion of physical bodies through space-time.
Paradox 1 - "Motion cannot exist," proclaims Zenos. In order for a runner to reach the finish line, he must reach the half way point. Which we agree. He continues, but then we would have to reach the halfway point of the halfway point. He continues this on into infinity, saying we would half to reach a halfway point of each halfway point. Infinitely in a finite space.

Paraodox 2 - Which I`am sure you are familiar, is Achilles and the tortoise. Zeno`s says that even though Achilles is running fatser than the tortoise he can never reach him. Well why? Because in order to catch up to the tortoise Achilles has to reach a point where the tortoise has left. Once he gets there the tortoise is in another position. Therefore he has to reach that point, at which the tortoise is in another position. This to go`s on

Answer 1

'Tis another non-question, but I don't really mind--- I like stories of infinity. And though I've heard these before, I still say kudos to Zenos (just because I like the 'os' endings!)...



As for Zenos' question at the end, in Additions, I've not heard that, but I think the man answered his own question, because all objects do occupy a given space at a given time, meaning to me that motion is proven possible, for time does march on, so space also does, and things do move, occupying time and space in any given point, with Achilles out-running the tortoise, etc.



But I'll continue to ponder away as requested, and may come up with a new thing... I'm considered a bit slow around here.

Answer 2

For the first paradox, it is the same as the relative ages paradox. My father was 28 when I was born. This made his age infinitessimally larger than mine. When I was 14, he was 42, three times my age. When I was 28, he was 56, twice my age. If this carries on I will eventually end up the same age as my father, according to this formula but we will still be 28 years apart in age.





For the second paradox, try looking at particle waves in physics for a good explanation. When being actively observed, all that is seen is particles because they are being sampled in a moment in time and therefore stopped but when examined for motion characteristics it is a waveform. This puzzled physicists for many years until they worked out that some things can possess both properties.

Answer 3

there is a fallacy there we all know the runner reaches the finish line and the tortoise is easily reached.

that is the goal or finish line is in itself a half way point of another infinite space and when it is reached it is the immediate goal that has been set for the runner



Achiles is faster than the tortoise so as he passes the point the tortoises has left he overtakes it and catches it

Answer 4

it quite is as people mentioned something to make you think of and are available across diverse suggestions. of direction all of us understand that inspite of a individual being recent to pay attention a tree falling or no longer the passage of the tree will make a valid. Or does it? evaluate this: A tree falling without all and sundry around to make certain it and pay attention it is going to nonetheless make the shockwave interior the air that have been it to strike the human (or animal) eardrum is translated (or perceived) as a valid...there is no such element as "a valid" there is merely the fast displacement of air which animals use to "pay attention issues". So if a tree falls in a woodland and no person is around to pay attention it then it hasn't made a valid, it has merely brought about a disturbance interior the air molecules around. Your wording of the question additionally brings up yet another achievable theory upsetting twist to the question even with the shown fact that. considering you pose the question as "no person hears it" quite of "no person is around to pay attention it" then it ought to be argued that in case you and that i and say 20 different all and sundry is status around quietly listening carefully for this tree while it falls and we don't pay attention it fall then easily 22 people won't be in a position to be incorrect....that tree could of merely fallen over without making a valid. As somebody else mentioned, a query like this holds fee as a philosophical question in particular because of the fact quite of merely accepting the face fee answer (of direction the tree makes a valid, duh!) you may probe deeper and think of outdoors the container to objective and make certain decision values for what's actual.

Answer 5

Way too easy to dismiss. What Zeno dishonestly pretends is that it takes the *same amount of time* to cross successively *shorter* distances. Since each distance is shorter, the amount of time to cross or close the distance is shorter. Ultimately, the distance is crossed/closed.



Go study calculus if you want a rigorous explication of the math.



This "paradox" is nothing but a cheap mental parlor trick.

Answer 6

i've had this homework in philosophy class before. yep, it was thought-provoking. now, it's just amusing

Answer 7

Wow... good stuff! Really makes you think....