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A.Word.A.Day--Russell's paradox

Russell's paradox (RUS-uhls PAR-uh-doks) noun

A paradox of set theory in which an object is defined in terms of a class of objects that contains the object being defined, resulting in a logical contradiction.

[Named after Bertrand Russell (1872-1970).]

`Post No Bills.'
"Professor Howard Shane of Baruch College (CUNY) wonders if there is a Russell's Paradox in the accompanying picture." Allan J. Rossman & Beth L. Chance, Teaching the reasoning of statistical inference, The College Mathematics Journal, Sep 1, 1999.

This week's theme: syndromes, paradoxes, laws, and principles.

X-Bonus

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome. -Anne Bradstreet

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