antinomiaa

Antinomia is a term used in philosophy and theology to describe a contradiction between two apparently valid principles or laws. It suggests a situation where two equally strong arguments lead to opposite conclusions, making it impossible to reconcile them through logic alone. The term is derived from the Greek words "anti" (against) and "nomos" (law).

The concept of antinomy was particularly explored by the philosopher Immanuel Kant. Kant identified several antinomies in his work, particularly in his Critique of Pure Reason. He argued that when reason attempts to apply its categories beyond the realm of possible experience, it inevitably encounters these contradictions. For instance, Kant discussed antinomies related to the finitude or infinitude of the universe in space and time, and the question of whether every event has a cause or not.

Antinomies are not seen as indicating a flaw in logic itself, but rather as highlighting the limitations of human reason when it tries to grasp concepts that transcend empirical evidence. In theological contexts, antinomies might arise when trying to reconcile divine attributes, such as God's omnipotence and the existence of evil. The resolution of antinomies often involves recognizing that the opposing principles operate within different frameworks or are based on different assumptions.