Paradoxes

“A paradox is a situation in which two seeming contradictory, or even mutually exclusive, factors appear to be true at the same time. A problem that is a paradox has no real solution, as there is no way to logically integrate the two opposites into an internally consistent understanding of the problem. As opposed to the either-or nature of the dilemma, the paradox can be characterized as a “both-and” problem – one of the factor is true and a contradictory factor is simultaneously true. Hence a paradox presents the problem solver with the difficult task of wrestling with the problem, without ever arriving at a definitive solution. At best, the problem-solver can find a workable reconciliation to temporarily cope with the unsolvable paradox. 

Most people are used to solving puzzles, resolving dilemmas and making trade-offs ... However, most people are not used to, or inclined to, think of a problem as a paradox. A paradox has no answer or set of answers – it can only be coped with as best as possible.”

From “Strategy – Process, Content, Context” 
by Ron Meyer and Bob de Wit in 2004