What is a Paradox and Why it Needs to Be Dissolved, Not Solved

In our previous edition, we explored the nature of problems and asked whether some issues are truly problems at all—or if they’re paradoxes or patterns that require a different approach. Paradoxes challenge us by presenting two seemingly opposing truths that coexist within a larger whole. Unlike conventional problems, which we attempt to ‘solve,’ paradoxes cannot be solved in the same way. Instead, they invite us to dissolve them— to uncover a deeper understanding that holds both sides without forcing a resolution. So, what is a paradox, and why does it need to be dissolved?

In this edition of ‘From Insight to Impact’, we’ll explore the nature of paradoxes, why they resist conventional solutions, and how dissolving them can reveal profound insights that transform how we approach complex issues.

Understanding Paradoxes: The Coexistence of Contradictory Truths

A paradox is a situation or statement where two seemingly contradictory elements both appear valid. Unlike traditional problems, which are defined by a gap between reality and a desired outcome, a paradox is defined by a tension between two conflicting truths. These truths are often interdependent, meaning that the existence of one side enhances or reinforces the other, creating a complex, self-sustaining dynamic.

For example, in social innovation, a common paradox is the tension between economic growth and environmental sustainability. Economic growth, as traditionally pursued, often leads to increased resource consumption and environmental harm. Yet, environmental sustainability requires limits on resource use, which may restrict certain economic activities. Both goals—growth and sustainability—are valid and desirable, yet they stand in opposition.

Solving one side of the paradox (e.g., pursuing unbridled growth) leads to negative consequences on the other side (e.g., environmental degradation), and vice versa.

Paradoxes are inherently complex because they resist simplification. Attempting to ‘solve’ a paradox by choosing one side over the other doesn’t eliminate the tension; it often makes it worse. Paradoxes require us to hold opposing truths simultaneously and to explore how they coexist within a larger context. This shift from solving to understanding is essential for addressing paradoxes effectively.

Why Conventional Problem-Solving Fails with Paradoxes

Traditional problem-solving relies on identifying causes, analyzing symptoms, and implementing solutions. This approach works well for linear, clear-cut problems with specific origins and outcomes. However, paradoxes do not operate within a linear framework—they exist within feedback loops and interdependent relationships where both sides reinforce each other.

When we attempt to solve a paradox by favoring one side, we often end up intensifying the issue. For instance, favoring economic growth without considering sustainability may yield short-term benefits but creates long-term consequences that affect the very foundation of that growth. Conversely, focusing solely on sustainability without economic considerations can lead to reduced prosperity and social challenges. In both cases, solving one side disrupts the balance, reinforcing the paradox instead of resolving it.

Paradoxes are also resistant to problem-solving because they exist not as issues to fix but as expressions of larger patterns or tensions in systems.

They are not ‘errors’ but natural outcomes of complex, interconnected dynamics.

Trying to fix a paradox as though it were a broken part of a machine ignores the fact that paradoxes are often essential to the system’s stability. To engage effectively with a paradox, we need a different approach—one that goes beyond problem-solving to uncover the unity underlying the opposition.

Dissolving Paradoxes: Seeing Beyond the Conflict to the Larger Whole

Rather than solving a paradox by eliminating one side, we can dissolve it by understanding the underlying relationship between the opposing elements. Dissolving a paradox requires us to move beyond either/or thinking and to recognize that both sides of the paradox are valid and interdependent. This doesn’t mean we avoid action; rather, it means our actions come from a place of deeper understanding.

Dissolving a paradox begins with shifting our perspective from separation to unity.

When we see that both sides of a paradox are part of a larger whole, we begin to understand that they do not have to conflict—they can be integrated in a way that honors both sides. This integration often involves a new approach, one that transcends the duality and allows both truths to coexist within a broader context.

For example, dissolving the paradox between economic growth and sustainability may involve rethinking growth itself—not as endless expansion but as regenerative development. In this new framework, growth and sustainability aren’t opposites; they become mutually reinforcing goals. By redefining growth to include environmental health, we dissolve the paradox by seeing a higher unity that integrates both values.

The Role of Insight in Dissolving Paradoxes

Insight is essential for dissolving paradoxes because it provides the clarity needed to see beyond the apparent contradiction. Insight reveals connections that are not visible from a polarized perspective, allowing us to understand the unity within the opposition. This shift in perspective is transformative because it changes how we see the issue itself, not just how we respond to it.

When insight occurs, it often feels like a sudden recognition of a hidden harmony between opposing elements. Insight helps us see that the conflict is not within the elements themselves, but within our perception of them as opposites. By experiencing insight, we can see that growth and sustainability, for instance, are not inherently at odds—they only appear that way because of our limited framework.

Insight dissolves the paradox by reframing our understanding, allowing us to act from a place of coherence and creativity rather than compromise.

In social innovation, insights that dissolve paradoxes are often the key to systemic transformation. Instead of attempting to ‘solve’ complex social issues by choosing sides, we gain a deeper understanding that allows us to integrate seemingly opposing goals.

This approach leads to solutions that are both adaptive and holistic, addressing the needs of both sides within a unified vision.

Moving from Either/Or to Both/And: Integrating Opposing Truths

Dissolving paradoxes requires a shift from either/or thinking to both/and thinking. Either/or thinking compels us to choose between two opposing sides, creating a sense of conflict and division. Both/and thinking, however, allows us to hold both sides simultaneously, acknowledging the truth in each while seeking a harmonious integration.

This shift is not merely intellectual; it’s a transformation in how we engage with reality. When we approach paradoxes with both/and thinking, we become open to creative solutions that honor both sides without compromise.

We recognize that opposing elements are not enemies to reconcile but partners in a larger dance, each contributing to the whole in its own way.

In practice, this means allowing the tension between opposites to remain without forcing a resolution. For instance, in the paradox of independence and community, both values are essential—independence fosters individual growth, while community provides support and connection. Instead of choosing one over the other, we dissolve the paradox by finding ways to support independence within the context of community. Both can coexist, enriching each other within a broader framework that values diversity and unity.

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Dissolving Paradoxes in Social Innovation: Beyond Fixing to Transformative Understanding

In social innovation, dissolving paradoxes allows us to engage with complex issues from a place of understanding rather than control. When we stop trying to fix paradoxes as problems, we become open to seeing the hidden connections and interdependencies that sustain them. This understanding is transformative because it shifts our focus from immediate outcomes to long-term coherence.

For example, addressing inequality often presents a paradox between empowerment and support. If we empower individuals without support, they may struggle without the resources they need. But if we provide support without empowerment, dependency may develop. Dissolving this paradox involves creating a system where support empowers rather than limits, allowing people to become self-sustaining within a supportive framework. This integrated approach transcends the conflict between empowerment and support, allowing both to coexist within a unified vision of growth.

Dissolving paradoxes does not eliminate challenges, but it changes our approach to them. We no longer see paradoxes as barriers to overcome; we see them as expressions of the richness of life, inviting us to explore creative solutions that reflect the interconnectedness of all things.

Practical Takeaways

Here are four reflective practices to help you engage with paradoxes by dissolving rather than solving them:

• Observe Without Judgment: Notice paradoxes without immediately trying to resolve them. Allow yourself to see both sides fully, recognizing the truth in each without forcing a choice.
• Cultivate Both/And Thinking: Practice holding opposing truths simultaneously. When faced with a paradox, ask, ‘How can both elements coexist within a larger framework?’ This mindset shift opens the door to creative integration.
• Seek Insight Through Stillness: Create space for reflection, allowing insights to arise naturally. Insight often reveals hidden connections that help dissolve paradoxes, providing clarity on how opposing elements fit within a larger whole.
• Explore New Definitions: Paradoxes often dissolve when we reframe the terms. Ask, ‘Is there a broader way to understand this conflict?’ By redefining concepts like growth, success, or sustainability, we may find that the paradox dissolves within a new understanding.

Key Insights

• A paradox is a tension between two opposing truths that coexist within a larger whole, each reinforcing the other.
• Traditional problem-solving fails with paradoxes because it seeks to eliminate conflict by choosing one side, ignoring the interconnected nature of both elements.
• By dissolving paradoxes through both/and thinking and insight, we uncover a unity that allows both sides to coexist harmoniously within a broader vision.

How do you approach paradoxes in your life or work? Do you see them as conflicts to resolve, or can you embrace them as opportunities for deeper understanding? I invite you to reflect on how dissolving rather than solving paradoxes could change your approach to complex issues and share your thoughts with our community.

Let’s explore together how we can dissolve paradoxes by embracing the unity within opposition, allowing us to engage with complexity in ways that foster harmony and transformation.