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？本期 “随身英语” 讨论这类思维方式如何帮助我们更好地看待问题。

词汇：mentality 心态

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

And paradoxes don’t just exist in philosophical 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 boredom. 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 navigate a path through the contradictions.

A 1996 study of geniuses by Albert Rothenberg found that those thinkers spent time considering opposites and antitheses. Consider Einstein. The theory of relativity was born out of the paradox that something could be moving and stationary 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!

词汇表

idea 想法
contradictory 自相矛盾的，对立的
paradox 悖论，矛盾的情况
solution 解决办法
logically 合乎逻辑地
philosophical 哲学的
flexible 灵活变通的
structure 结构，条理
switch off 不再考虑（工作）
contrasting 截然不同的
contradiction 矛盾
mindset 思维方式，思维模式
embrace 欣然接受
burn-out 极度劳累
creativity 创造力
productivity 生产力
navigate 设法应付
antithesis 对立，对立面，复数为 “antitheses”
theory 学说，理论
perspective 思考角度，观点

测验与练习

1.  阅读课文并回答问题。

1. What is a paradox, according to the article?

2. What is the paradox created by work being too flexible?

3. True or False? Contradictions that cause stress are examples of the ‘paradox mindset’.

4. What were the findings of the 1996 study of geniuses?

5. What contradictions did Einstein consider before creating the theory of relativity?

2.  选择意思恰当的单词或词组来完成下列句子。

1. It’s not a reality at the moment – it’s all just _______.

theoretical                    creativity                          logic                          productivity

2. You need to use _______ to solve this problem.

burn out                        solution                           flexible                      logic

3. You need to show a bit of _______ and stop being so rigid.

flexibility                       solve                                theory                       burn out

4. I’m so tired – I feel so _______.

burnt out                      solution                            logically                     solve

5. We need to find a _______ to this problem, now!

flexibility                       logically                            theory                       solution

答案

1.  阅读课文并回答问题。  

1. What is a paradox, according to the article?
A problem that seemingly has no definitive solution and can’t be logically solved.

2. What is the paradox created by work being too flexible?
How can work be flexible, but maintain structure?

3. True or False? Contradictions that cause stress are examples of the ‘paradox mindset’.
False. Learning to appreciate contradictions is the paradox mindset.

4. What were the findings of the 1996 study of geniuses?
That the great thinkers tend to look at opposites and contradictions.

5. What contradictions did Einstein consider before creating the theory of relativity?
That something can be moving and stationary at the same time.

2.  选择意思恰当的单词或词组来完成下列句子。

1. It’s not a reality at the moment – it’s all just theoretical.

2. You need to use logic to solve this problem.

3. You need to show a bit of flexibility and stop being so rigid.

4. I’m so tired – I feel so burnt out.

5. We need to find a solution to this problem, now!