Juxtaposition vs. Paradox — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 29, 2023
Juxtaposition places contrasting elements side by side; paradox is a statement that contradicts itself yet may reveal a truth.
Difference Between Juxtaposition and Paradox
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Juxtaposition involves placing different elements next to each other for contrast. Paradox is a statement that contradicts itself but may hold a deeper truth.
Juxtaposition emphasizes contrast through proximity. A paradox presents a contradiction that challenges understanding.
Artists use juxtaposition to highlight differences. Writers use paradoxes to provoke thought and reveal complexities.
Juxtaposition is more about visual or thematic placement. Paradox involves a twist in logic or reasoning.
Juxtaposition can be visual, thematic, or literary. Paradox is primarily a concept in rhetoric and logic.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Placing contrasting elements side by side
A self-contradictory statement that may reveal truth
Primary Use
To highlight contrasts
To present a contradiction
Usage in Art
Visual and thematic contrasts
Thought-provoking statements
Logical Aspect
About placement
About contradictory reasoning
Effect
Highlights differences
Provokes thought
Compare with Definitions
Juxtaposition
Side-by-side placement for visual impact.
The photographer used juxtaposition to emphasize the contrast between wealth and poverty.
Paradox
A seemingly absurd or contradictory statement.
The paradox less is more challenges conventional thinking.
Juxtaposition
Placing contrasting elements close together.
The artist's juxtaposition of light and dark created a striking effect.
Paradox
A statement that challenges established norms.
The philosopher's paradox questioned the nature of reality.
Juxtaposition
Highlighting differences by proximity.
The juxtaposition of modern and ancient architecture in the city was fascinating.
Paradox
A contradiction that reveals a deeper truth.
His statement was a paradox, seemingly false but actually true.
Juxtaposition
Using contrast in literature for effect.
The juxtaposition of tragedy and comedy added depth to the novel.
Paradox
Use of contradiction in speech for effect.
The speaker used a paradox to capture the audience's attention.
Juxtaposition
Contrasting themes for emphasis.
The film's juxtaposition of hope and despair was powerful.
Paradox
A paradox is a logically self-contradictory statement or a statement that runs contrary to one's expectation. It is a statement that, despite apparently valid reasoning from true premises, leads to a seemingly self-contradictory or a logically unacceptable conclusion.
Juxtaposition
Juxtaposition is an act or instance of placing two elements close together or side by side. This is often done in order to compare/contrast the two, to show similarities or differences, etc.
Paradox
A seemingly absurd or contradictory statement or proposition which when investigated may prove to be well founded or true
The uncertainty principle leads to all sorts of paradoxes, like the particles being in two places at once
Juxtaposition
The act or an instance of juxtaposing or the state of being juxtaposed.
Paradox
A statement that seems to contradict itself but may nonetheless be true
The paradox that standing is more tiring than walking.
Juxtaposition
The nearness of objects with little or no delimiter.
Paradox
A person, thing, or situation that exhibits inexplicable or contradictory aspects
"The silence of midnight, to speak truly, though apparently a paradox, rung in my ears" (Mary Shelley).
Juxtaposition
(grammar) An absence of linking elements in a group of words that are listed together.
Example: mother father instead of mother and father
Paradox
A statement that is self-contradictory or logically untenable, though based on a valid deduction from acceptable premises.
Juxtaposition
(mathematics) An absence of operators in an expression.
Using juxtaposition for multiplication saves space when writing longer expressions. collapses to .
Paradox
An apparently self-contradictory statement, which can only be true if it is false, and vice versa.
"This sentence is false" is a paradox.
Juxtaposition
The extra emphasis given to a comparison when the contrasted objects are close together.
There was a poignant juxtaposition between the boys laughing in the street and the girl crying on the balcony above.
Paradox
A counterintuitive conclusion or outcome.
It is an interesting paradox that drinking a lot of water can often make you feel thirsty.
Juxtaposition
(arts) Two or more contrasting sounds, colours, styles etc. placed together for stylistic effect.
The juxtaposition of the bright yellows on the dark background made the painting appear three dimensional.
Paradox
A claim that two apparently contradictory ideas are true.
Not having a fashion is a fashion; that's a paradox.
Juxtaposition
(rhetoric) The close placement of two ideas to imply a link that may not exist.
Example: In 1965 the government was elected; in 1965 the economy took a dive.
Paradox
A thing involving contradictory yet interrelated elements that exist simultaneously and persist over time.
Juxtaposition
To place in juxtaposition.
Paradox
A person or thing having contradictory properties.
He is a paradox; you would not expect him in that political party.
Juxtaposition
A placing or being placed in nearness or contiguity, or side by side; as, a juxtaposition of words.
Parts that are united by a a mere juxtaposition.
Juxtaposition is a very unsafe criterion of continuity.
Paradox
An unanswerable question or difficult puzzle, particularly one which leads to a deeper truth.
Juxtaposition
The act of positioning close together (or side by side);
It is the result of the juxtaposition of contrasting colors
Paradox
(obsolete) A statement which is difficult to believe, or which goes against general belief.
Juxtaposition
A side-by-side position
Paradox
(uncountable) The use of counterintuitive or contradictory statements (paradoxes) in speech or writing.
Paradox
A state in which one is logically compelled to contradict oneself.
Paradox
The practice of giving instructions that are opposed to the therapist's actual intent, with the intention that the client will disobey or be unable to obey.
Paradox
A tenet or proposition contrary to received opinion; an assertion or sentiment seemingly contradictory, or opposed to common sense; that which in appearance or terms is absurd, but yet may be true in fact.
A gloss there is to color that paradox, and make it appear in show not to be altogether unreasonable.
This was sometime a paradox, but now the time gives it proof.
Paradox
(logic) a self-contradiction;
`I always lie' is a paradox because if it is true it must be false
Paradox
A statement that defies logic or common sense.
The liar paradox, This statement is false, is a classic example.
Common Curiosities
How is juxtaposition used in literature?
In literature, juxtaposition is used to contrast characters, settings, or themes for dramatic effect.
Can a paradox be true?
Yes, a paradox can reveal a deeper truth despite its apparent contradiction.
Can juxtaposition be accidental?
Juxtaposition can be accidental, but it's often used intentionally for effect.
Is a paradox always false?
Not necessarily. A paradox may seem false but can provoke thought or reveal truth.
What is the purpose of juxtaposition in art?
Juxtaposition in art is used to highlight contrasts and create visual interest.
What is an example of a paradox in everyday language?
"I always lie" is a paradox because if it's true, it must be false.
Can a paradox be resolved?
Some paradoxes can be resolved with deeper understanding, while others remain puzzling.
Is juxtaposition only visual?
No, juxtaposition can be thematic, conceptual, or literary as well.
Does juxtaposition require physical proximity?
In visual arts, yes, but in literature or themes, it's more conceptual.
Can juxtaposition create humor?
Yes, juxtaposing contrasting elements can create comedic effect.
Can juxtaposition be subtle?
Yes, juxtaposition can be subtle, depending on the elements and the context.
How does a paradox differ from irony?
A paradox is a self-contradictory statement, while irony involves a difference between expectation and reality.
Is every contradiction a paradox?
No, not every contradiction is a paradox; paradoxes often have a hidden truth or complexity.
Are paradoxes used in mathematics?
Yes, paradoxes are used in mathematics to explore logic and reasoning.
Does juxtaposition imply contrast?
Yes, juxtaposition inherently involves contrasting elements.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
