The case of the impossible barber: does the barber shave himself?

[Anonymous]

“A certain barber is very particular about his work. He shaves every person who does not shave themselves, and no one who does shave themselves. So: does the barber shave himself? It doesn’t take long to see the contradiction: If he does, he can’t; if he doesn’t, he must. Such a barber can’t exist”

[jshm2]

What you're alluding to is Russell’s paradox.

It's bullshit of course, and a thought experiment. However, it illustrates the difficulty in mathematics and language in comparison to everyday reality.

[slatyb]

That's just a demonstration that natural language permits the construction of meaningless propositions. For something really profound, go read about Godel's incompleteness theorem.

[WhitneySnow]

Just add in “other than himself.” Kinda like Zeno’s Paradox. Seems difficult in theory but easy when you apply common sense.

[Asker]

I know but that defeats the purpose of a thought experiment

[Asker]

It’s like saying you shouldn’t put the cat in the box for Schrödinger’ scat

[Asker]

Cat*

[WhitneySnow]

Also true lol

[Asker]

😂😂😂

[TroyDT2]

It is a logical contradiction. "A" and "Not A" cannot exist at the same time and in the same relationship. So no such barber can exist.

[Asker]

That’s why it’s a thought experiment. But if you were to take the question as it is, does he shave himself?

[Anonymous]

No, he goes to someone he trust, just like the rest of us.

[NathanDavis]

he waxes...

[NathanDavis]

and I know this because I sold him the wax to do it with... which is why I did what I with all those workers at the rail tracks, and the fat guy

[Anonymous]

yeah he does

[Asker]

Why so?

[Asker]

Do you not see the paradox?

[Opinion Owner]

because i've experienced this thing myself and from multiple barbers

[Asker]

I don’t get it @whitneysnow

[Asker]

Do you?

[Asker]

What do you mean you’ve experienced this yourself? It’s a thought experiment.

[Opinion Owner]

no it's not barbers and hair stylists go through this same charade all the time

[Asker]

What? This is a thought experiment. Meaning it doesn’t exist in real life. Hypothetical

[Opinion Owner]

but it does exist in real life