Aporia; or, Doubt An Expression of Feeling by way of Doubt
A-pô´-ri-a . Greek, ἀπορία, a being in doubt, or at a loss, from ἄπορος (aporos), without a passage (ἀ, privative, and πόρος (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, διαπόρησις, from διά (dia), through, and ἀπόρησις (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 .
Hosea 6:4. -“O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee?”
See under Erotesis .
Hosea 11:8. -“How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel?” etc.
See under Anthropopatheia .
Matthew 1:21-26. -“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.”
Luke 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.”