Paragon
10-18-2006, 09:42 AM
I think there are some subtle results to this puzzle beyond the scope of the puzzle itself. Let me know what you think. It at least has a fun story to it, and I know there are multiple versions.
Once upon a time there was a town with just husbands and wives. But, there was something magical about it. It just so happened that when a wife cheated on her husband, he would grow an ugly pair of horns out of his head. Strangely, they would be completely invisible and undetectable by the cheated husband. Luckily for the wife, it was also considered impolite for anyone to mention seeing the horns. Basically, no one ever discussed the subject, even though they were all aware of it.
However... if a husband ever was able to discover he had grown horns, he would wait until midnight of that particular day, then take his wife and leave town forever.
Anyway, each and every day in the village square, a meeting was held and everyone attended. People could clearly see who had horns and who did not during this daily ritual. One day though, a stranger from outside the town came passing through. He had something to share with the town, so he got up in front of them to say something. His words were:
"Some of you have horns"
... and with that he left the town.
Now for the problem. Assume that at least one husband has horns and that no wives cheat on their husbands after this event. Also assume these husbands are stellar logicians.
In general, what will happen, if anything? Perhaps start with a specific example. The interesting question to me is this. What did the stranger really do? What information did he provide?
If I was confusing at some parts (probably) just ask and I'll clarify.
Once upon a time there was a town with just husbands and wives. But, there was something magical about it. It just so happened that when a wife cheated on her husband, he would grow an ugly pair of horns out of his head. Strangely, they would be completely invisible and undetectable by the cheated husband. Luckily for the wife, it was also considered impolite for anyone to mention seeing the horns. Basically, no one ever discussed the subject, even though they were all aware of it.
However... if a husband ever was able to discover he had grown horns, he would wait until midnight of that particular day, then take his wife and leave town forever.
Anyway, each and every day in the village square, a meeting was held and everyone attended. People could clearly see who had horns and who did not during this daily ritual. One day though, a stranger from outside the town came passing through. He had something to share with the town, so he got up in front of them to say something. His words were:
"Some of you have horns"
... and with that he left the town.
Now for the problem. Assume that at least one husband has horns and that no wives cheat on their husbands after this event. Also assume these husbands are stellar logicians.
In general, what will happen, if anything? Perhaps start with a specific example. The interesting question to me is this. What did the stranger really do? What information did he provide?
If I was confusing at some parts (probably) just ask and I'll clarify.