How to Read “矛盾”
Mujun
Meaning of “矛盾”
“Spear shield” refers to a state where two opposing elements exist simultaneously within one matter, creating a logically inconsistent situation.
This word is used in situations where the same person says completely opposite things, or when incompatible content is included within a single theory or argument. It is particularly often used when pointing out situations where logical consistency has been lost in discussions or explanations.
For example, advocating for environmental protection while producing large amounts of waste, or making statements supporting war while wishing for peace, would constitute Spear shield. Also, the behavior of someone who lies while saying “I absolutely never lie” is a typical example of Spear shield.
The reason for using this expression is to clearly point out the logical breakdown of the other party and highlight the problems in the argument. In modern society, Spear shield can be found in all kinds of situations – politicians’ statements, corporate policies, individual actions – and it functions as an important concept when exercising critical thinking.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of “Spear shield” lies in a famous anecdote recorded in the ancient Chinese classic “Han Feizi.” Long ago, there was a merchant in China who sold weapons. This merchant first held up his spear and advertised to customers, “This spear is the strongest spear that can pierce through any shield.” Next, he took out a shield and promoted it saying, “This shield is the strongest shield that can defend against any spear.”
Then, a customer asked the merchant: “Well then, what would happen if you struck your shield with your spear?” The merchant could not answer. This was because if the strongest spear struck the strongest shield, there was no logical way to explain whether the spear or the shield would win.
From this anecdote, the word “Spear shield” was born and was also transmitted to Japan. From the nature of the opposing weapons “spear” and “shield,” it became established as a word expressing inconsistent states or logically untenable situations. Even today, it continues to be used when pointing out statements or actions that don’t make logical sense.
Interesting Facts
Interestingly, “Spear shield” is not necessarily treated as a bad thing in the world of philosophy. In the way of thinking called dialectics, it is believed that when contradictory elements clash with each other, higher-order truths and solutions are born.
Also, in the world of quantum mechanics, phenomena that would seem like Spear shield in everyday life, such as “wave-particle duality,” have been proven to actually exist, showing that there are realities that cannot be explained by classical logic.
Usage Examples
- His statement is completely Spear shield – he’s saying the exact opposite of what he said yesterday and today
- This policy is full of Spear shield – it’s impossible to achieve economic growth and environmental protection simultaneously
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the concept of “Spear shield” has come to have more complex and multifaceted meanings. With the spread of social media and the internet, people’s statements and actions are recorded, and we have entered an era where consistency with the past is strictly questioned. An environment has emerged where all kinds of Spear shield – politicians’ past statements versus current policies, corporate ideals versus actual actions – are instantly pointed out and spread.
On the other hand, the complexity of the information society has also created situations that go beyond simple concepts of Spear shield. In modern times where diverse values coexist, what appears to be Spear shield from one perspective may often be rational from another perspective. For example, while it may seem superficially like Spear shield for a global company to respect local culture while maintaining a unified brand strategy, it may actually be the result of sophisticated strategic judgment.
Also, with the development of AI technology, the complexity of human thinking and judgment has become clearer. Humans are not inherently completely logical beings, but creatures who flexibly change their judgments according to emotions, intuition, and circumstances. New debates are emerging about whether this “human-like Spear shield” should simply be dismissed as logical breakdown.
In modern times, rather than just pointing out Spear shield, an attitude of trying to understand the complex circumstances and multifaceted perspectives behind it may be required.
When AI Hears This
The human brain is wired to feel an almost abnormal attraction to words like “ultimate” and “absolute.” This is the true cause of contradictions.
According to psychological research, people dislike uncertainty and find comfort in absolute expressions like “100% guaranteed” and “perfect.” For example, we’re drawn to advertising claims like “the world’s strongest phone case” because this psychology is at work.
The merchant of spears and shields fell into the same trap. Extreme expressions like “a spear that pierces any shield” and “a shield that blocks any spear” were magical words that captured customers’ hearts. However, this very “longing for absoluteness” becomes the root cause of logical breakdown.
What’s fascinating is that the same pattern repeats itself today. Some people simultaneously believe in “a diet method that absolutely makes you lose weight” and “foods that won’t make you gain weight no matter what you eat.” These are the modern versions of spears and shields.
In other words, contradictions can be seen as an inevitable byproduct of humanity’s beautiful desire to seek perfection. It’s not a lack of logical thinking ability, but rather an overly pure longing for “the absolute” that ironically leads to self-contradiction. Here we see the most human-like weakness in human cognition.
Lessons for Today
What “Spear shield” teaches modern people may be the importance of honesty in facing oneself, rather than perfect consistency. We all live with more or less Spear shield. What’s important is not hiding that Spear shield, but acknowledging and accepting it.
When you notice conflicting feelings or thoughts within yourself, there’s no need to be ashamed of them. Rather, that’s proof of being human and also an opportunity for growth. Noticing Spear shield is proof that you can view yourself objectively.
When pointing out others’ Spear shield too, rather than using it as a tool for attack, we want to make it an opportunity to deepen mutual understanding. By thinking from the other person’s position – “Why do they think that way?” “What feelings led them to say that?” – we might see the truth behind superficial Spear shield.
In modern society, we can easily point out others’ Spear shield on social media and such, but before doing so, we want to take a breath and have a warm heart that tries to understand the other person’s humanity.
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