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While watching a TV program, comments from world-renowned scientists caught my attention. The scientists alleged that it is OK for paradoxes to exist in science, including mathematics and physics. I found those comments disturbing because, in my understanding, paradoxes are statements that do not make logical sense. Usually, one part of the statement contradicts another.

Science is knowledge built on reason and logic; therefore, scientific statements can be explained by established principles. Suppose it is OK for paradoxes to exist in science. Then, science is also knowledge built on unreasonableness, illogicality, and nonsense. Consequently, established principles cannot explain scientific statements. As can be seen, we have a classic example of a paradox here. One part of the paragraph contradicts another.

Ignoring the paradoxical nature of the paragraph, one can conclude that science is knowledge built on reason, logic, and nonsense. It merits asking: What is the current ratio of reason and logic to nonsense in science? Is there a limit to how many paradoxes there can be in science? Who decides or governs which paradoxes or nonsense are part of science?

Instead of promoting logic and reason, famous paradoxes are used to glorify nonsense. As a result, some fields of science are based on those idolized paradoxical theories. So, is it possible for popular nonsense to ultimately outnumber and displace reason and logic from science?

Considering that learning takes time, it is understandable that we get things wrong due to a lack of understanding. When proposed ideas do not make sense, we should examine the fundamentals rather than obediently accept them just because someone famous came up with them.

For that reason, I decided to examine some of the paradoxes, including those promoted on the TV program. Having a degree in mechanical engineering, I had assumed I could get a basic idea of the roots of some paradoxes and perhaps form my own opinion.

Little did I know that this decision would lead me to years of researching the fundamentals of mathematics. Whether my findings are nonsense or based on reason and logic, readers can decide for themselves.

Peter Kosc