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Russell's Paradox

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The Russell's Paradox, credited to Bertrand Russell, was one of those which forced the axiomatization of set theory.

Paradox

We start with the property P: (x does not belong to x). We define C to be the collection of all x with the property P. Now comes the question: does C have the property P? Assuming it does, it cannot be in itself, in spite of satisfying its own membership criterion, a contradiction. Assuming it doesn't, it must be in itself, in spite of not satisfying its own membership criterion. This is the paradox.

See Also

Want to learn how to tackle those tough AMC/AIME/Olympiad counting and probability problems? Check out Art of Problem Solving's Intermediate Counting & Probability by David Patrick.
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