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© Copyright 1997, Jim Loy
What happens when an irresistible force meets an immovable object? Although it is not really a particularly deep philosophical question, it is a classic paradox. An irresistible force can move any object. An immovable object cannot be moved. Hmm. Makes a person think.
What happens in real life, when an irresistible force meets an immovable object? Well, there are no irresistible forces. And, there are no immovable objects. So, the question has no answer. We do not live in a universe which allows irresistible forces and immovable objects.
So, the question is hypothetical, as we already knew. Let's imagine a universe which allows irresistible forces. Such a universe cannot allow immovable objects, as that would violate the very definition of our hypothetical universe. Let's imagine a universe which allows immovable objects. Again, such a universe cannot allow irresistible forces, as that would violate the very definition of our second hypothetical universe.
So, an irresistible force cannot meet an immovable object. As I said above, we do not live in a universe which allows irresistible forces and immovable objects. In fact, no universe can ever allow both irresistible forces and immovable objects. And, the question has no answer.