Enrique Sarabia Sánchez - personal identifier : G6533073
A333 - TMA 01 – PART 1
In your own words explain what, according to the course book, a paradox is. Give
an example of a paradox and point to one or two ways of resolving it.
In this essay I will explain what a paradox is, we will see an example of a paradox and
how it has been refuted. A paradox is a contradiction that occurs when two lines of
reasoning are given. Furthermore, in everyday terms, a paradox is something that,
although true, is in contradiction to a superficial reading or popular opinion. In this
sense, too, the interest in and spread of numerous similar artistic manifestations is
paradoxical, in short, astonishing. In general, we call paradoxical the set of
circumstances, facts or statements that present an irresolvable, paradoxical,
counterintuitive condition. We can say that a certain circumstance is paradoxical, for
example, when we find ourselves involved in conflicts that worsen or become more
complicated when we resolve them. Etymologically, it comes from the Greek
"paradox", which is broken down into the word’s (para), meaning "contrary", and
(doxan), to receive "opinion". This meaning indicates that a paradox is what goes
against one's idea of common sense. Paradoxes are, therefore, reasonings that reveal the
contradiction between two concepts or statements. To understand it properly, a
contradiction would consist in stating "I never say truths" which looks to be indeed a
truth, but the sentence denies itself. Paradoxes, however, have a certain complication
and are intended to highlight contradictions to provoke surprise in the face of reality
itself, to prompt us to reflect on abstract concepts or to elaborate descriptive images.
Paradoxes focus on certain circumstances or arguments that go beyond the logic of
common sense, provoking a feeling of contradiction and indeterminacy that is rejected
by our subconscious. Art has also shown signs of concern for these questions and some
creative artists have tried to play at confusing our senses with the use of impossible
images and optical deceptions. The success, in these cases, is that the pieces obtained
are practically real, but the ideas captured are implausible and force us to pay much
more attention to what we are observing. Sometimes it is much easier to describe what a
paradox is with the help of a few examples. Paradoxes are indeed a form of challenge to
the mind and push us to reflect on a certain expression and to make a different
examination. A paradox serves most of the time to provoke and challenge habitual
reasoning. For example, the statement "simple is complicated", which uses two opposite
terms at the same time. How is it possible for something simple to be complex? The aim
of this statement or phrase is to show that often the realization of something or the
realization of a result is very difficult. Paradoxes are very relevant in literature and
philosophy. Often, their statements summarize their main working concepts. A paradox
is also often used in everyday language to denounce an idea to highlight its errors or to
provoke a change of opinion. Paradoxes are also a humorous device that can bring an
element of humor to a given situation or text. They are entertaining and interesting
statements that go against the usual convictions and are sure to add some intrigue to the
situation in which they are used. It is much easier to explain what the incongruity of a
paradox is by giving several examples. Contradiction is often used to plot, and
challenge generalized ideas.
, If we take as an example one of the best-known paradoxes which are the ones from
Zeno of Elea (c.490-430 BC), In, Zeno was trying to demonstrate the fantasy of the
movement of objects.
Although these paradoxes have already been refuted, it is curious to see how Zeno was
trying to prove the illusion of motion with his stories. Of course, Zeno's deductions do
not appeal to most people, who are used to the word corresponding to what they
perceive. That is why, during the time, Zeno's arguments have been refuted from the
scientific perspective. The refutations that have disproved his paradoxes come from
physical science and mathematical thought, but basically, the latter has been the main
arguments to refute his paradoxes.
WORD COUNT: 668
A333 - TMA 01 – PART 2
What is the paradox of painful art? Point to one or two ways in which the paradox
might be resolved. Do you think any of these succeed?
The paradox of painful art is made of some reasonings that sum up comes to say that we
experiment with different kinds of feelings when we watch fictional representations, but
we are enough rationale to feel the difference between fiction and reality, this doesn´t
mean that we won’t be able to feel bad about these fictional representations, moods and
their consequences. From a rational point of view, we usually look for experiences in
life that gives us pleasure rather than pain. Sometimes, we look for experiences of
painful art, the painful art is indeed painful, so where is the logic for us to deliberately
look for painful experiences in art?
The dark is a feeling linked to fear and distress and is, therefore, a cause of great
discomfort. However, it also exerts an irresistible attraction, especially on some
occasions. The profuse production of art, film and literature touching on these emotions
demonstrates this. However, the investigation of these feelings is not limited to the
realm of fiction; human beings voluntarily expose themselves to experiences that
generate these intense sensations. They do so not only to seek the right stimuli to
experience the sinister originally but also to achieve the same pleasure that their
predecessors sought through direct, non-fictional contact with the unsettling. In this
search, it is necessary to aestheticize a vital experience, to put into practice the
identification (in art achieved through empathy) with the others who accompany him at
all times in his adventure, disciples in turn of fictitious characters, constructed by art.
The perception of paradox within the artistic sphere can also be shown as an example
of the way of thinking of an era that should aspire to resolve the contradiction and
introduce lucidity into the sphere of knowledge. In claiming to sustain doubt and
paradox there would be self-interested content. The present age demands that the
paradox be posed in such a way as to avoid the next step, the resolution of the paradox.
Under certain situations, it is more advantageous to keep it so that it is always
indispensable. The truth may not always be worth discovering, as those who know it
and hide it may gain some power over others. How can it be that people take pleasure in
unpleasant states? This is the question posed by Hume. Take horror films, for example.
