Buridan's bridge

proper noun

A self-referential paradox involving a proposition pronounced about an event that might or might not happen in the future. Socrates wishes to cross a bridge guarded by Plato, who says that if the next proposition Socrates utters is true, Socrates will be permitted to cross, but otherwise he will be thrown into the water. Socrates replies, "You will throw me into the water." Plato is then in a paradoxical situation regarding how to treat Socrates.

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Meanings

proper noun
  1. human sciencesA self-referential paradox involving a proposition pronounced about an event that might or might not happen in the future. Socrates wishes to cross a bridge guarded by Plato, who says that if the next proposition Socrates utters is true, Socrates will be permitted to cross, but otherwise he will be thrown into the water. Socrates replies, "You will throw me into the water." Plato is then in a paradoxical situation regarding how to treat Socrates.

Origin

Described by Jean Buridan.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

Buridan's bridge. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Buridan's%20bridge

MLA

“Buridan's bridge.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Buridan's%20bridge. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Buridan's bridge,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Buridan's%20bridge.

Source: Buridan's bridge on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.