aporia

noun

apo·​ria ə-ˈpȯr-ē-ə 

1

: an expression of real or pretended doubt or uncertainty especially for rhetorical effect

2

: a logical impasse or contradiction

especially : a radical contradiction in the import of a text or theory that is seen in deconstruction as inevitable

Word History

Etymology

French aporie, ultimately from Greek aporia difficulty, perplexity, from aporos impassable, from a- + poros passage — more at fare

First Known Use

circa 1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1