Antinomy
noun /ænˈtɪn.ə.mi/ — A contradiction between two apparently sound principles
Definition
A contradiction between two principles or conclusions that both seem equally valid — an irresolvable conflict at the heart of a system of thought.
Beyond the definition
The contradiction that won't resolve. Unlike a paradox, which seems contradictory but resolves, an antinomy is genuinely irreducible — both sides are equally valid, equally correct.
Origin & history
From Greek 'antinomia' — 'anti' (against) + 'nomos' (law). Against the law — the condition where two laws contradict each other irresolvably. Kant used it to describe the contradictions inherent in pure reason.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
Kant identified four antinomies of pure reason — places where logic, applied to fundamental questions, produces contradictions it cannot escape.
The antinomy of freedom and determinism has occupied philosophers for centuries without resolution.
An antinomy is more disturbing than a mere paradox: it suggests that our ways of thinking contain irresolvable conflicts.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Antinomy” when the meaning fits your context: A contradiction between two principles or conclusions that both seem equally valid — an irresolvable conflict at the heart of a system of thought.
Synonyms
contradiction, paradox, conflict, irresolvable tension
Antonyms
harmony, consistency, resolution
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Opposing Paths in Woods
Two people argue at a crossroads, with each path disappearing into different states of light and shadow, representing conflicting truths.
The contradiction between two equally valid arguments or paths creates an irresolvable conflict at the heart of their thought, illustrating the concept of an antinomy.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Antinomy" mean?
Antinomy is noun meaning: A contradiction between two apparently sound principles. A contradiction between two principles or conclusions that both seem equally valid — an irresolvable conflict at the heart of a system of thought.
Where does the word "Antinomy" come from?
From Greek 'antinomia' — 'anti' (against) + 'nomos' (law). Against the law — the condition where two laws contradict each other irresolvably. Kant used it to describe the contradictions inherent in pure reason.