Single Idea 21690

[catalogued under 5. Theory of Logic / L. Paradox / 4. Paradoxes in Logic / a. Achilles paradox]

Full Idea

The Achilles argument is that (if the front runner keeps running) each time the pursuer reaches a spot where the pursuer has been, the pursued has moved a bit beyond.

Gist of Idea

Whenever the pursuer reaches the spot where the pursuer has been, the pursued has moved on

Source

Willard Quine (The Ways of Paradox [1961], p.03)

Book Reference

Quine,Willard: 'Ways of Paradox and other essays' [Harvard 1976], p.3


A Reaction

Quine is always wonderfully lucid, and this is the clearest simple statement of the paradox.