antinomy
|an-tin-o-my|
/ænˈtɪnəmi/
conflict between equally valid principles
Etymology
'antinomy' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'antinomia', where the prefix 'anti-' meant 'against' and 'nomos' meant 'law'.
'antinomy' changed from the Greek word 'antinomia' into Latin 'antinomia', then into French 'antinomie', and eventually entered English as 'antinomy' in the early modern period.
Initially, it meant 'opposition of laws' or 'contradictory laws', and over time it evolved into the current meaning of 'a contradiction between equally valid principles or conclusions'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a contradiction between two beliefs, conclusions, or principles that are each reasonable or logically justified; a paradox arising from equally valid premises.
The philosopher pointed out an antinomy in the theory: two plausible premises led to incompatible conclusions.
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Noun 2
in Kantian philosophy and related contexts, one of a pair of equally rational but mutually incompatible propositions about metaphysical questions (e.g., about the world having a beginning in time vs. being infinite).
Kant described several antinomies of pure reason that demonstrate limits of speculative reason.
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Last updated: 2025/09/05 08:20