Theos-Talk Archives (June 2002 Message tt00093)

Eldon B Tucker wrote:
> Two other trick questions :
> 
> (1) Zeno's paradox, where you get 1/2 of the way to the
> wall, then you're 1/2 of the remaining distance, then
> 1/2 of the rest of the way, but never reach it.

Let's phrase the question differently. Let's say an event is going to
take place in a finite but given period of time (let's call this unite
of time a "chime"). Well, you wait half the time for the event, and half
a chime has passed. Then you wait half the remaining time, and 3/4 of a
chime has passed. You wait half the remaining time, and then 7/8 of a
chime has passed. You keep waiting half the time, and the chime never
takes place. The statement assumes that it is physically possible to
divide time into little divisions, as opposed to (sounding like a pre-CD
broken record) arbitrary divisions on a continuity. So, the statement
merely shows that when one confuses the arbitrary divisions with the
continuity, you can end up with an absurdity. 

Similarly:
> (2) What happens when an irresistible force meets an
> immovable object?

This simply proves that, in a given closed system, you cannot have both
an irresistible force and an immovable object.

Now, going to similar questions, here is an interesting one:

If God is all-powerful, can He create a stone which He cannot lift?

And here's a possible answer: Yes, he can, by causing Himself to forget
that He can lift it. 

Compare that question and answer to a more relevant question: What is
the purpose of the manvantara?

Bart Lidofsky