Final answer:
The statement that a paradox is a statement that makes no sense whatsoever is false. Paradoxes are statements that lead to self-contradictory or logically unacceptable conclusions, despite seemingly reasonable premises. They differ from contradictions because they may not always involve direct logical impossibilities and can prompt deeper critical thinking.
Step-by-step explanation:
The notion that a paradox is a statement that makes no sense whatsoever is false. A paradox is actually a statement or set of statements that, despite apparently sound reasoning from true premises, leads to a conclusion that seems logically unacceptable or self-contradictory. For instance, Zeno's paradoxes challenge our understanding of motion and plurality, suggesting that an infinite series of steps could prevent one from ever reaching their destination, despite experiencing motion itself.
A contradiction is a statement or set of statements that cannot all be true at the same time, and such a situation indicates at least one of the beliefs held must be false. To further explore the concept of paradoxes, consider the 'paradox of value' in economics, which illustrates how something vitally useful like water may hold little monetary value, whereas diamonds, being less practically useful, hold a high monetary value.
Understanding the difference between contradiction and paradox is fundamental, as a paradox can exist without outright contradiction and often invites deeper reflection on the concepts or principles being examined.