Paradox Resolution
When faced with a paradox, the brain tests
belief in both of the conflicting ideas. It sees what other thoughts,
beliefs, and emotions might need to be changed. Resolving a paradox can
be very liberating because unexpected combinations of thoughts can then
interplay and give rise to new relationships. However, paradoxes can also
cause one to give up deeply cherished ideas, which can be painful.
Aside 1. A person's inherent thought train length determines
how many paradoxes that person recognizes and how extensive a mental shock
is caused by a paradox and its resolution.
Aside 2. The human brain often has incompatible ideas floating
within it, but they are never recognized as contradictory because they
aren't active (conscious) at the same time. An example of conflicting
ideas that is not resolved for most people, including myself, is that
in our legal system we believe that people have free will and chose their
actions. Yet in science, we believe that all action is explainable without
resorting to use of the idea of free will.
