The Sorites paradox is a philosophical problem dating from the time of Ancient Greece.

It relates to the problem of defining groups - specifically large groups. It has implications for the definitions of 'vagueness' 'fuzziness' 'blurriness' etc etc. Which in turn have implications for mathematics, modern computing systems (search algorithms, quantum computers, etc etc )

An example often used is the 'Paradox of the Heap' : A pile of sand with thousands of grains can be called a 'heap'. If one grain is removed, it's still a heap. If, however, this step is repeated enough times, it will no longer be considered a 'heap'

Another example is the 'Bald Man'. If a man has a full set of hair, and one hair is removed, he isn't bald. but if the process is repeated, he will at some stage be classified as bald. Where is the boundary?

Further reading : Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

Also see : Vaguenessplugin-autotooltip__plain plugin-autotooltip_bigVagueness

Very few sets of data are truly complete or completely accurate. There are nearly always some 'errors and omissions' - as well as cases which fall on borderlines (which are sometimes themselves ill-defined).

Over the years the philosophical community has extensively studied the concept of 'vagueness'. and 'Vague' etymologyplugin-autotooltip__plain plugin-autotooltip_big'Vague' etymology

"Vague (adj.) "uncertain as to specifics," 1540s, from Middle French vague "empty, vacant; wild, uncultivated; wandering" (13c.), from Latin vagus "strolling, wandering, rambling," figuratively "vacillating, uncertain," of unknown origin. Related: