Answer
The question "Is heterological heterological?" leads to a paradox and has no consistent answer.
It exposes a **self-referential inconsistency** in natural language classification.
Work Step by Step
This is a classic logical puzzle known as the **Grelling–Nelson paradox**.
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### Setup:
- An adjective is **autological** if it **describes itself**.
Example: **"polysyllabic"** is autological (it is polysyllabic).
- An adjective is **heterological** if it **does not describe itself**.
Example: **"monosyllabic"** is heterological (it is not monosyllabic).
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### The Question:
Is **"heterological"** heterological?
Let’s analyze:
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### ❗ Case 1: Suppose “heterological” **is heterological**.
That means:
> “Heterological” does **not** describe itself.
But that’s **exactly** what being heterological means.
So if it **doesn't** describe itself, then it **does** — contradiction.
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### ❗ Case 2: Suppose “heterological” is **not** heterological.
Then it **does** describe itself.
So “heterological” **is** a word that **does not describe itself**.
But that’s exactly what being heterological means!
**Contradiction again.**
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### 🔁 Conclusion:
We are caught in a **paradox** — both answers lead to contradiction.
This is a **semantic version** of **Russell's paradox** applied to natural language.
