Aporia; or, Doubt
Aporia; or, Doubt
An Expression of Feeling by way of Doubt
A-p-ri-a. Greek, , a being in doubt, or at a loss, from (aporos), without a passage (, privative, and (poros), a passage).
The figure is used when the speaker expresses himself as though he were at a loss what course to pursue; or when we express a doubt as to what we ought to think or say or do.
It was also called DIAPORESIS (Di-a-po-ree-sis). Greek, , from (dia), through, and (aporeesis), a being without passage or resource.
The Latins called it DUBITATIO, a wavering, a doubting, uncertainty, doubt, and ADDUBITATIO, the former word with ad, to, denoting the beginning of the hesitation or doubting.
Hos 6:4.-O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee?
See under Erotesis.
Hos 11:8.-How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? etc.
See under Anthropopatheia.
Mat 21:25-26.-The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him? But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.
Luk 16:3.-Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.