Suppose someone, let’s call them John, has been found who wants to take on the role of national barber of Giwi. According to the law, John should be male. The law also states that all men have to get a shave at least once a week. so, John has to get a shave at least once a week. Finally, the law requires that John shave exactly those men who don’t shave themselves. Now, who is going to shave John? Joh can’t shave himself, because as the national barber he should only shave those men who don’t shave themselves. John also can’t ask someone else to shave him, because every man who doesn’t shave himself has to be shaved by the national barber. In short, it is impossible for John to become national barber and comply with the Giwian laws!
The barber paradox offered by Bertrand Russell
Consider the following variation on Russell's paradox. On the fictitious island nation of Giwi, very man has to get a...
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