The Sorites Paradox

[mercury19]

So my girlfriend told me this today, but I don't think it's a paradox. it goes like this:

The sorites paradox (/soʊˈraɪtiːz/;[1] sometimes known as the paradox of the heap) is a paradox that arises from vague predicates.[2] A typical formulation involves a heap of sand, from which grains are individually removed. Under the assumption that removing a single grain does not turn a heap into a non-heap, the paradox is to consider what happens when the process is repeated enough times: is a single remaining grain still a heap? (Or are even no grains at all a heap?) If not, when did it change from a heap to a non-heap?[3]

The definition of heap, as per Dictionary.com, is "a group of things placed, thrown, or lying one on another"

So you can define when it goes from being a heap to a non-heap; specifically, when you go from two grains of sand to one grain of sand. This is because one thing cannot be a group, therefore one grain of sand is not a heap by the above definition. But since two or more things is a group, then you can say that when you still have two or more grains of sand you do have a heap, technically. Therefore, the questions are both answered and it's not a paradox.

Am I insane? Or intellectually inept? Help me out here

[Tzan]

don't be so vague.

This is so stupid, why would people waste time on it?

[Overwatch_Elite]

if you try to turn everything into a riddle you'll feel smart

[mercury19]

don't be so vague.

This is so stupid, why would people waste time on it?

Cause people get bored. Not much else to do when you live in a closet of a dorm room and you have no school work left and four days before you move out, you know?

if you try to turn everything into a riddle you'll feel smart

Shhh! Don't give away my secrets my ego is fraaaaaagile!

[stubby]

The sorites paradox (/soʊˈraɪtiːz/;[1] sometimes known as the paradox of the heap) is a paradox that arises from vague predicates.[2] A typical formulation involves a heap of sand, from which grains are individually removed. Under the assumption that removing a single grain does not turn a heap into a non-heap, the paradox is to consider what happens when the process is repeated enough times: is a single remaining grain still a heap? (Or are even no grains at all a heap?) If not, when did it change from a heap to a non-heap?[3]

It stops being a heap when there is no longer a single grain of sand that's on top of any other grain of sand. In theory you could have a "heap" of two grains if they're very carefully balanced, but in practice this is unlikely. As soon as all the grains are resting on the ground instead of each other, it is no longer a heap.

[motorhead fan]

I agree with stubby and you, There comes a point where an amount of sand can't be called a heap, that point being when there is only 1 grain left.
I'm also not sure whether that's a paradox or not, it's hard to say for sure.

[Natalya]

Sounds like a problem with liminality. Straw that broke the camel's back seems like a similar concept but going in reverse.

Let's say I somehow arranged a film of sand 1 grain thick in a small circular-ish area on a table. Not a heap we all agree.
If I add a second 1-grain thick layer of sand across the first, some of y'all are saying that's a heap, but is it really? Haven't I actually made a sand pancake since it's still flat?

I think the problem is that heap may be a subjective concept. If everyone had an exacting and precise definition of "heap" then there wouldn't be a problem.