what came first?the chicken or the egg?

Answer 1

The chicken or the egg is a reference to the causality dilemma which arises from the expression "which came first, the chicken or the egg?". Since both the chicken and the egg create the other in certain circumstances (a chicken emerges from an egg; an egg is laid by a chicken) it is ambiguous which originally gave rise to the other. Purely logical attempts to resolve the dilemma result in an infinite regress, since an egg was caused by a chicken, which was caused by an egg, etc. Since every chicken originates from its egg, it seems obvious the egg came first. Put simply, the reason is down to the fact that genetic material does not change during an animal's life. The solution may require an examination of syntax and may rely on verification from advances in modern genetic science. When used in reference to difficult problems of causality, the chicken and egg dilemma is often used to appeal to the futility of debate and lay it to rest.

History of the problem

The earliest reference to the dilemma is found in Plutarch's Moralia, in the books titled "Table Talk," in a series of arguments based on questions posed in a symposium. Under the section entitled, "Whether the hen or the egg came first," the discussion is introduced in such a way as to suggest that the origin of the dilemma was even older:

"...the problem about the egg and the hen, which of them came first, was dragged into our talk, a difficult problem which gives investigators much trouble. And Sulla my comrade said that with a small problem, as with a tool, we were rocking loose a great and heavy one, that of the creation of the world..."

Various answers have been formulated in response to the question, many of them humorous.

Answer 2

Umm..neither? I think chicken DNA had to come about before the full and complete idea of a "chicken" whether it be natal or neonatal could be conceived at all. But then again, that's just me. So, I think the real question should be, "where did chicken DNA come from"?

OR.....

Chicken and Egg laying in bed with the Egg smoking a cigarette...The chicken, looking pissed off, looks at the egg and says, "Well I guess we answered THAT question!" (this would be the more humorous approach)

Answer 3

i believe it all depends on whether you accept the theory or creation or evolution.
creation- chicken came first because god (or some other intelligent designer- since i know ppl who are athiest but believe in creation) created all of the first animals.

evolution- eggbefore the first chicken was born there was another being similar to a chicken that had a deformity when it reproduced and in its egg hatched the first chicken. also there were eggs before chickens just not chicken eggs.

Answer 4

the egg

the first chicken came out of an egg even if the thing that layed it wasnt exactly a chicken. by evolution eggs have been around for far more than chickens like even, dinosaur eggs.

Answer 5

The chicken! God created animals, not eggs. He created man, not an embryo.

Answer 6

I'd rather know why the chikcen crossed the road. Eggs are boring, they never cross roads.

Answer 7

Did I stumble into special education or something... are your serious?

What came first, this question...or the thought crossing your mind?

oh oh oh, this is a good one,

What came first, the smell, or this question...cause it stinks....

hahahahahaha

Answer 8

I have no clue....isnt it wierd when you wonder about something totally off the wall but you have no clue why your wondering that.

Answer 9

Neither. It was the premature ejaculator.

Answer 10

Both simultaneously (?)