Conundrum

A conundrum ( Latin: vexare "plague, torment") is a catchy question that poses a problem that initially does not appear to be solvable for the respondent and which may not be objective either.

Classic examples are

• (lat.) acervus, (gr.) sorites, heap closure or paradox of the heap : In a heap of sand, one grain is more or less irrelevant . But one grain is not yet a heap, two grains are not yet a heap, if we add one more, it is not a heap, etc. Since there are heaps of sand, there must have been a certain grain that was added to the heap. So it depends more or less on one grain. How many grain makes up the heap?
• (lat.) calvus , (gr.) phalakros, "bald head": "How many hairs do you have to pull out of someone to make them bald?"
• (Latin) velatus, (Greek) enkekalymmenos, dialanthanôn, " veiled "; For example: "Did Elektra know her [previously known] brother before he called himself [now that he would not have been directly recognized]?"

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Cf. Friedrich Kirchner / Carl Michaëlis: Art. Vexierfragen , in: Dictionary of Basic Philosophical Concepts , Leipzig 5. A. 1907, p. 680.
2. ↑ Cf. Friedrich Kirchner / Carl Michaëlis: Art. Acervus , in: Dictionary of Basic Philosophical Concepts , Leipzig 5. A. 1907, p. 11f.
3. ↑ Cf. Friedrich Kirchner / Carl Michaëlis: calvus , in: Dictionary of Basic Philosophical Concepts , Leipzig 5th A. 1907, p. 110f.
4. ↑ Cf. Friedrich Kirchner / Carl Michaëlis: velatus , in: Dictionary of Basic Philosophical Concepts, Leipzig 5th A. 1907, p. 674f.