Brain Teasers
Philosophy, math and poets
Are these 4 statements logically compatible?
#1-Some mathematicians are philosophers.
#2-Immortals are ignorant of philosophy
#3-No poet practices mathematics.
#4-All mortals are poets.
#1-Some mathematicians are philosophers.
#2-Immortals are ignorant of philosophy
#3-No poet practices mathematics.
#4-All mortals are poets.
Answer
Start with the statement #2. If immortals are ignorant of philosophy, philosophers must be mortals, otherwise they would be ignorant of philosophy. Since statement #4 says all mortals are poets, philosophers must be poets. Since statement #3 says no poet practices mathematics, no philosopher does either. So, a mathematician cannot be a philosopher, which makes statement #1 inconsistent with the other 3 statements.Hide Answer Show Answer
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Comments
I enjoyed this one.
I also enjoyed it; didn't get it though!
I guesed no, because if they were, they probably wouldn't have required thinking.
I'm SO confused.
I'm SO confused.
pretty fun!
i dont like poetry but i still liked this
bad bad teaser (
Hey man I liked it a lot. I lov these types. Keep up the good work!
I like this...althoguht wouldn't it logically follow that mathmeticians are not mortals?
tonjawithaj: since the statements don't jive, i don't think you can logically conclude anything further unless you eliminate a statement. If statement 1 is true, then some mathmaticians are philosophers, all of whom are mortal. so some have to be mortal. depends on which of the 4 you eliminate...
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A thoroughly difficult but enjoyable puzzle. Using a Venn diagram helps.
That's clever! Very very good.
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