我们往往用 “矛盾” 来描述两个看似互相对立、不应但确实同时存在的现实情况。逻辑学中，亦有 “悖论”  一词，那你知道什么是 “悖论思维” 吗？

 

The chicken or the egg – which came first? It's probably one of the most commonly cited paradoxes² – a chicken hatches from an egg, so the egg came first, right? But then what laid the egg? The two ideas seem contradictory³, and that's exactly what a paradox¹ is – a problem that seemingly has no definitive⁴ solution and can't be logically solved.

 

And paradoxes don't just exist in philosophical⁵ debates but also in our daily lives. How can work be flexible but maintain structure? How can we switch off if we're working from home? Two contrasting ideas could cause people stress, but what if we accept the contradiction and change the way we look at it? This is what some experts call the 'paradox mindset'.

 

A paradox consists of two realities that exist at the same time – even though that seems impossible. If you embrace just one of those realities and ignore the other, it can cause problems. For example, embracing change may lead to burn-out, while embracing stability may lead to boredom⁶. Some experts have found the acceptance of both realities and a willingness to embrace them can improve both creativity and productivity by allowing you to navigate⁷ a path through the contradictions.

 

A 1996 study of geniuses by Albert Rothenberg found that those thinkers spent time considering opposites and antitheses⁸. Consider Einstein. The theory of relativity was born out of the paradox that something could be moving and stationary⁹ at the same time, depending on perspective.

 

So, having a 'paradox mindset' and accepting the bigger picture may help you to better understand problems. It could also make you happier knowing that contradictions exist. As a result, it may lead you to improving your productivity and creativity. If it worked for Einstein, maybe it could be good for you too!

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