The irresistible force paradox (also unstoppable force paradox or shield and spear paradox), is a classic paradox formulated as "What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object?" The immovable object and the unstoppable force are both implicitly assumed to be indestructible, or else the question would have a trivial resolution. Furthermore, it is assumed that they are two entities.
The paradox arises because it rests on two incompatible premises—that there can exist simultaneously such things as unstoppable forces and immovable objects.[1]
Origins
An example of this paradox in eastern thought can be found in the origin of the Chinese word for contradiction (Chinese:矛盾; pinyin:máodùn; lit.'spear-shield'). This term originates from a story (see Kanbun §Example) in the 3rd century BC philosophical book Han Feizi.[2] In the story, a man trying to sell a spear and a shield claimed that his spear could pierce any shield, and then claimed that his shield was unpierceable. Then, asked about what would happen if he were to take his spear to strike his shield, the seller could not answer. This led to the idiom of "zìxīang máodùn" (自相矛盾, "from each-other spear shield"), or "self-contradictory".
Another ancient and mythological example illustrating this theme can be found in the story of the Teumessian fox, which can never be caught, and the hound Laelaps, which never misses what it hunts. Realizing the paradox, Zeus, Lord of the Sky, turns both creatures into static constellations.[3]
Applications
The problems associated with this paradox can be applied to any other conflict between two abstractly defined extremes that are opposite.
One of the answers generated by seeming paradoxes like these is that there is no contradiction – that there is not a false dilemma. Christopher Kaczor suggested that the need to change indicates a lack of power rather than the possession thereof, and as such a person who was omniscient would never need to change their mind – not changing the future would be consistent with omniscience rather than contradicting it.[4]
Cultural references
In the original Knight Rider television series from 1982, KITT brings up the irresistible force paradox when Michael asks him how they could defeat K.A.R.R., who is built the same as KITT. This is in the ninth episode of season 1, named "Trust Doesn't Rust", first aired November 19th, 1982.
In M*A*S*H Season 6 episode, "The Smell of Music," a frustrated Hawkeye says of Winchester, "The irresistible force is about to polish off the immovable object."[6]
The 2005 video game Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney retells the story of the spear and shield from Han Feizi during its fifth case. A "King of Prosecutors" trophy that homages the story, depicting a cracked shield and a broken halberd, becomes an important piece of evidence during the case's events.[7]
In the 2008 superhero film The Dark Knight, after finally being captured and saved from death by Batman, the Joker states that "This is what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object". This refers to the two’s inability to kill one another, Batman due to his sense of justice and the Joker due to his enjoyment of his battles with Batman.
In the Johnny Mercer song "Something's Gotta Give" the opening line paraphrases the paradox by saying "When an irresistible force such as you meets an old immovable object like me".[citation needed]
In the MOBA game League of Legends, the champion Xin Zhao wields a spear and has the line "Find me an immovable object, and I'll put this question to rest." His ultimate move, Crescent Guard, creates a circle around him and makes him impervious to damage dealt by champions outside that circle, implying he is an unstoppable force.[8]
In Pokémon Sword and Shield, Zacian and Zamazenta, the games' mascot legendary Pokémon, are hinted to be an unstoppable sword and impenetrable shield. The two have the same total base stats, one having a higher attack stat and the other having a better defense stat, but due to their different typing, Zacian (the sword) has better resistances, making it better defensively as well.
Pro wrestling commentator Gorilla Monsoon referred to the WrestleMania III match between Hulk Hogan and André the Giant as "The irresistible force meets the immovable object".
In The Rising of the Shield Hero, during the event where the Shield Hero and the Spear Hero had a duel for the first time, the both of them make a few comments on "the tale about the all-penetrating Spear and the unbreakable Shield".
The 2023 UEFA Europa League Final was described by online news outlets and commentators as "an example of an unstoppable force taking on an immovable object".[9] Prior to the match, Sevilla FC, nicknamed "King of the Europa League",[10] had won the competition 6 times out of 6 finals, twice the amount of any other club. On the other side, José Mourinho (managing AS Roma) had never lost a European final, and the team had won the Conference League the year prior. Both teams scored one goal in an exceptionally long game, lasting 150 minutes with added time, and were only separated through penalties, where Sevilla scored 4 and Roma 1.[11]
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