The Liar Paradox
"This sentence is false." Decide whether you are looking at something true or something false, and see how far you get.
c. 600 BCE (the Epimenides line); c. 350 BCE (Eubulides' paradox)26 min read
Greek doxography (3rd century CE)
Diogenes Laertius
Compiler of the Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers, ten books of biography, gossip, book lists and quotation. He is an uneven historian and a priceless one: for many ancient thinkers, including Eubulides and much of the Stoa, his catalogue is the only reason we know what they wrote about.
2 entries
The Paradox of the Court
A student agrees to pay for his lessons the day he wins his first case. He never takes a case. His teacher sues him for the money.
c. 420 BCE (traditional); earliest surviving account 2nd century CE20 min read