Janussian Thinking

Janus, the Roman God, whose two faces permitted him to look in opposite direction at once.

Janusian thinking consists of actively conceiving two or more opposite or antithetical concepts, ideas, or images simultaneously, both as existing side by side and equally operative or equally true.

The obvious benefit of such a dual perspective – and the underlying power of Janusian thinking – is that it provides the ability to consider multiple perspectives simultaneously. Failure to do this results in decision-making paralysis, depression or in wasted effort, pursuing false goals.

The idea of a body being in motion and at rest at the same time are the antithetical concepts which Einstein used in the development of relativity.