Why are paradoxes useful?

Answer 1

One good use of paradoxes is in literature. Statements can be made by main characters that contradict themselves in order to make the reader struggle to understand the true meaning of the statement, therefore making the literature a lot more interesting and complex.

For example, in Shakespeare's Hamlet, one character says " I must be cruel to be kind." This statement contradicts itself, making it a lot harder to understand than if the character had plainly stated what he meant.

Paradoxes are useful because they test the limits of our understanding, expose the fragility of things that look obvious and also make us detect that which we do not know. A masterly teacher can use paradox to help us in "learning from not understanding"

You can read more about this explanation in THE FASCINATION OF PARADOX (Learning from not understanding) Ioan Tenner 2010

Answer 2

Paradoxes are useful because they challenge our conventional thinking and push us to consider new perspectives. They can inspire creativity, spark intellectual curiosity, and encourage critical thinking by forcing us to question assumptions and explore contradictions in our beliefs or reasoning.