Paradox: A paradox can be an apparently true statement or group of statements that leads to a contradiction or a situation which defies intuition; or it can be, seemingly opposite, an apparent contradiction that actually expresses a non-dual truth (cf. Koan)

Example: Aesop tells the tale of a traveler who sought refuge with a Satyr on a bitter winter night. On entering the Satyrs lodging, he blew on his fingers, and was asked by the Satyr why he did it. "to warm them up" he explained. Later, on being served a piping-hot bowl of porridge, he blew also on it, and again was asked why he did it. "too cool it off" he explained. The Satyr thereupon thrust him out of doors, for he would have nothing to do with a man who could blow hot and cold with the same breath.

Function: Aesop uses this paradox to reinforce a humorous tone in a story. It would seem impossible to anyone who is un-educated to blow hot and cold in one breath, so the use of a paradox also criticizes the intelligence of the Satyr. The paradox also forces you to think about why it can be true and untrue at the same time, in ways that perhaps you never have before.