PUZZLE; CREAMY PHILOSOPHERS: WHO KNOWS WHO KNOWS...

CREAMY PHILOSOPHERS

from Peter Cave’s  Do Llamas Fall In Love: 33 Perplexing Philosophical Puzzles

Suppose ten philosophers, attending an international  convention, are sitting in a semi-circle at the dining table, having just finished some gorgeous creamy dessert in which they all delighted. They can see everyone’s face, except their own. No mirrors, no squinting allowed; and they are not permitted to confer. You are the draconian waiter, gazing at them all. 

No philosopher knows that he has cream on his lips; he cannot see himself. Just two of them have, though, been messy eaters this time, their lips all creamy; the others, surprisingly, are sparklingly clean. For ease, let us call those with cream on their lips ‘creamy’. 

Naturally, all of them,  being philosophers, are perfectly rational reasoners – despite the flow of wine – ready to obey instructions. (Well, true, there is something a little 'out of this world' re this puzzle.)

You say to them, ‘Hands up all those who know that they are creamy.’ 

They can all see at least one creamy philosopher. That there is at least one creamy philosopher is universally known, mutually known. Not one of them, though, knows that he is creamy. So, no hands go up. Importantly, no hands go up, if you ask the question again – and again. No philosopher can work out by reason alone that he must be a creamy one.

BUT NOW.... Suppose the same set-up, except that, before any instruction, you announce, ‘At least one of you is creamy.’ 

Of course, they knew that in the first scenario: they could all see at least one creamy philosopher. Your announcement, though, magically it seems, alters what will happen. 

You now instruct, ‘Hands up all those who know they are creamy.’ 

No hand is raised. 

You make the same demand again, ‘Hands up all those who know they are creamy.’ 

Amazingly, the two creamy philosophers, and only those two, do now put their hands up. Your announcement, yet of what they each already knew, made all the difference.

Why did the creamy philosophers now raise their hands?

[This puzzle has a long history from unfaithful wives to muddy children.]

Animation and bow tie?

Well, 

some words may be worth reflecting upon:

try

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfrEFs4qhAw

Just published

Extracts at Amazon

Professor Ray Tallis:

‘Lucid, witty, erudite, and wise. This is more than  a brilliant survey of ethical theories: it is an invitation to reflect on your life and to challenge your own settled views. This Beginner’s Guide will take you far from the place where you began it.’

 Ray Tallis, Professor Emeritus of Geriatric Medicine, University of Manchester – Patron of Dignity and Dying, philosopher, author.

Professor Michael Clark

‘Rich, comprehensive and provocative, with illustrative examples that are original and stimulating... altogether a fine and authoratative introduction to the subject.’

Michael Clark – Professor Emeritus, Philosophy, University of Nottingham; Editor of Analysis

 Professor Dan Cohn-Sherbok:

 'With characteristic verve, Peter Cave explores the key issues of ethics in this readable, entertaining, and informative introduction. Surveying a wide range of topics – including utilitarianism, existentialism and applied ethics – he challenges readers to think their way through complex moral problems. For those seeking to make sense of life's dilemmas as well as students enrolled in philosophy courses, this is an ideal guide.'

 Rabbi Dan Cohn-Sherbok, Professor Emeritus of Judaism, University of Wales

Professor A C Grayling

'Peter Cave writes with clarity and humour; this is an excellent primer for anyone beginning the study of ethics. Highly recommended!'

A C Grayling, Master of New College of the Humanities, London, Fellow of St Anne’s College Oxford, formerly Professor of Philosophy, Birkbeck College London

  

 Professor Andrew Pessin:

 ‘Peter Cave has done it again. Ethics: A Beginner’s Guide is a must-read for any student of ethics, formal or informal, beginner or advanced. It is thorough and complete, yet always accessible and entertaining, written in Cave’s signature sharp style. With plenty of intriguing examples and provocative thought experiments, with many useful references drawn from literature, the arts, and real life, the book masterfully guides the reader from the concrete up to the theoretical. It begins with leading moral theories, then moves onto loftier discussions of religion, existentialism, and human freedom, peaks with a survey of meta-ethics—then re-descends to the debates over some of the most controversial practical moral concerns of our day. Its final chapter is a literary tour de force in itself, an extended meditation on the central role of moral dilemma in the human condition. No matter who you are, no matter what your background, this book will inform and challenge you — just as moral philosophizing should.’

 Andrew Pessin, Professor of Philosophy, Connecticut College

 Professor William Irwin:

Ethics: A Beginner’s Guide is a clear, comprehensive, and witty tour of the terrain.

 William Irwin, Professor of Philosophy, King's College Pennsylvania

Well, independent reviews can be nice - as are llamas - or should modesty forbid?

Maybe of some interest to try:

Times Higher

Wittgenstein

Arguably the greatest philosopher of the twentieth century is Ludwig Wittgenstein. For some pithy tweets by the anguished genius, try

http://twitter.com/WittTweets

The Proms, Jerusalem and England's Green and Pleasant Land

In Britain, every September, there is a Last Night of the Proms - the end of the summer season of promenade concerts of classical music - and the tradition is to play Hubert Parry's 'Jerusalem', a setting of William Blake's poem. It is now something like an unofficial British national anthem. The poem speaks of

I will not cease from mental fight
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand
'Til we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land

With an inversion - and bearing in mind, to put it mildly, the tensions and troubles in the Jerusalem of the Middle East - bearing also in mind the famed toleration of Britain - a radical muse would be that of Britain, ideally as a secular state, retrieving some authority over Jerusalem, providing a relaxed and easy home for Jews, Christians and Muslims, to whom the city means so much, building indeed a Jerusalem of peace.

And, if we would like to speculate further, let that city in the Middle East be part of England's green and pleasant land.

True, few may support this wild speculative idea....
but wild speculative ideas may be required.

Whose money

There is much ministerial and public indignation - understandably so - at public bodies having wild and extravagant expense accounts, with higher management being taken on luxurious jaunts, staying at five-star hotels - and often receiving large salaries and larger bonuses. After all, the money is 'taxpayers' money'.

The same indignation is rightly held when confronted with certain bankers and investment managers receiving large bonuses and pay-offs.

Curiously, though, the vast number of commercial bodies escape censure. Yet, of course, many large businesses cover the expenses of directors and upper management, expenses when staying in the top hotels, taking lavish meals, travelling in luxury. Why the difference in attitude?

'Ah,' it may be said, 'the money being spent is not taxpayers' money.'

But, hold on, where does the money come from? Well, from consumers - and much of the consumption, in practice, is not optional. Further, many, many consumers are far less well-off than those with their large expenses - indirectlly being paid by - those consumers.