Sorry For The Really Stupid Question , Word Problems.

1,258 Views | 10 Replies | Last: 4 yr ago by 94chem
Madman
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AG
For the life of me I can't figure out or remember the word for something.

Similar to a riddle but meant to be an unsolvable word problem.

What are these called and where can I find a list of them? I keep coming back to riddle but those generally have a solution. What I am looking for is more of a philosophical unanswerable question.

I know they have a name I just can't remember it.
swimmerbabe11
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Conundrum?
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americathegreat1492
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Only two things that come to mind are enigma and anagrams, but anagrams aren't usually unsolvable, just varying in difficulty.
Thomas Sowell, PhD
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AG
Aggie Football?
bmks270
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AG
Fallacy?
Thomas Sowell, PhD
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AG
Koan: a paradoxical anecdote or riddle, used in Zen Buddhism to demonstrate the inadequacy of logical reasoning and to provoke enlightenment.
Kool
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Rhetorical question? Not exactly lining up with what you're asking but close.
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Madman
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That may be it.

The one that I always remember is about how it is impossible to run a mile. Because to run a mile you would first have to run a half mile. And to run a half mile you would have to run a 1/4 mile. But first 1/8th, etc. it then goes on to explain that you would have to do an infinite number of halves if you will (original is worded better).

And obviously people can run a mile but the little story shows how with words you can make something possible impossible. Or disprove the possible or in some cases prove the impossible.
craigernaught
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The mile half mile issue is the philosopher Zeno's most famous paradox.

You're thinking of a paradox.
ramblin_ag02
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That is also close to sophistry, basically confusing and misleading using language. For example "the dog is yours", "the dog is a father", "therefore the dog is your father"
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94chem
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ramblin_ag02 said:

That is also close to sophistry, basically confusing and misleading using language. For example "the dog is yours", "the dog is a father", "therefore the dog is your father"


That would also make him a son of a bltch, correct?
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