ACHILLES PARADOX Meaning and
Definition
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The Achilles paradox is a renowned philosophical conundrum named after the Greek warrior Achilles, famously known for his invincibility. The paradox explores the idea of motion and infinite divisibility. In simple terms, it questions how an object that is slower than another can ever catch up, even if the difference is infinitesimally small.
According to the paradox, suppose Achilles races against a tortoise, giving it a head start, and he is ten times faster than the tortoise. By the time Achilles reaches the initial starting point of the tortoise, it would have moved a certain distance ahead. However, at that moment, the tortoise also covers a small distance forward. Thus, no matter how close Achilles gets to the tortoise, the tortoise will always move further ahead.
The paradox reveals the puzzle of infinite divisibility. As time and distance can be infinitely divided, the paradox suggests that Achilles will always fall behind, never catching the tortoise. It challenges the concept of how motion is handled mathematically.
The Achilles paradox is commonly used in philosophical debates to illustrate the complexity of motion, infinity, and the relationship between mathematics and the physical world. It raises questions about the nature of change and the mathematical models we use to understand it.
Etymology of ACHILLES PARADOX
The word "Achilles paradox" originates from the Greek mythological figure Achilles and the philosophical concept of paradox. The term refers to a paradoxical scenario mentioned by the ancient Greek philosopher Zeno of Elea, who lived around the 5th century BC. Zeno was a disciple of Parmenides, and he proposed a series of paradoxes to challenge the idea of motion.
In the case of Achilles paradox, Zeno imagines a race between Achilles, a great Greek hero known for his speed, and a tortoise. The paradox arises from the assumption that the tortoise has a head start in the race. Zeno argues that even if Achilles is much faster, he can never catch up to the tortoise.
Zeno's reasoning involves dividing the distance Achilles needs to cover to reach the tortoise into an infinite number of smaller distances.
