Buridan's bridge

English

Etymology

Described by Jean Buridan.

Proper noun

Buridan's bridge

1. (philosophy) A self-referential paradox involving a proposition pronounced about an event that might or might not happen in the future. Socrates wishes to cross a bridge guarded by Plato, who says that if the next proposition Socrates utters is true, Socrates will be permitted to cross, but otherwise he will be thrown into the water. Socrates replies, "You will throw me into the water." Plato is then in a paradoxical situation regarding how to treat Socrates.