A paradox is defined as a statement or concept that contains conflicting ideas. While the statement may seem to be self- contradictory or absurd, in reality it expresses a possible truth.
If you've read the Wall Street Journal over the last several months, you may have read an article that referenced the economic theory "The Paradox of Thrift. "The theory, authored by economist John Maynard Keynes, states that during an economic recession individual consumers will increase their savings at a rate greater than the rate at which they normally spend. Paradoxically, the aggregate of all consumer savings will actually decrease as a result.