I. The Greek word Paradox, or Paradoxologia, does not properly signify a
false or implicatory proposition, but an improbable or incredible one;
and therefore, this word is commonly applied to those propositions, which
in the eye of the generality of mankind, at first sight seem false and
contradictory, and difficult to be assented to; but upon examining them
strictly and with attention, appear to be either true or probable. In
this discourse, we shall treat of some of the things of this species,
which are to be found in the line of natural philosophy.