Problem 1
Let’s start with a paradox.
101 Philosophy Problems commences with the tale of a nefarious criminal – the Philosopher – who’s sentenced to be hanged unless he makes one true declaration, in which case he’ll spend ten years in prison instead.
The next day when he’s taken to Tyburn, he hands the executioner a piece of paper, who orders the Philosopher to be released. What might this notorious criminal have said to get himself released?
I guessed the answer rather than reasoned it when I was looking at this problem a few months ago. The statement must come from the Liar’s Paradox stable. If the Philosopher says something false, he’ll be executed; if he says something true, he’ll be sent to prison for ten years. He obviously hasn’t said something false, or he’d be jiggling on the end of the rope; but he hasn’t said something true or he’d be sent to prison. Whatever he said, must’ve been a paradox.
The book suggests that the Philosopher might’ve written, “I’ll be hanged tomorrow.” Hanging’s too good for this one.
The next day when he’s taken to Tyburn, he hands the executioner a piece of paper, who orders the Philosopher to be released. What might this notorious criminal have said to get himself released?
I guessed the answer rather than reasoned it when I was looking at this problem a few months ago. The statement must come from the Liar’s Paradox stable. If the Philosopher says something false, he’ll be executed; if he says something true, he’ll be sent to prison for ten years. He obviously hasn’t said something false, or he’d be jiggling on the end of the rope; but he hasn’t said something true or he’d be sent to prison. Whatever he said, must’ve been a paradox.
The book suggests that the Philosopher might’ve written, “I’ll be hanged tomorrow.” Hanging’s too good for this one.
Tomorrow, belief, but not that sort of belief.
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