Manifesto for Resolving Paradoxes
/translation and formatting done by AI/
Author: Huseyn GurbanovI. 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.
- What is leading?
- What is following? Once the position is clear, the contradiction dissolves.
- 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.
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. |


