Tightropes of logic?

Question

The teacher said “I will give you a surprise test next week.”
Jeanie stood up and said “a surprise test like that is not possible.”
The teacher was stunned. She thought that there is nothing preventing her from administering the test on any day she wishes. Yet, using a hair-splitting argument, it is possible to show that Jeanie was right, at least logically.

any other real life examples u guys cn come up with?

Answer 1

How about an objective study of subjective awareness?

Behavior is objective but motivation for behavior is subjective. Is it logical to include mathematical analysis on the results of a study of an insignificant number of subjects?

The difference between a desire (wish) and a need is that all needs are always met. If you want something and do not get it, is it just a wish? If you get something and did not want it is it still a need?

Answer 2

Just re-visit what Jeanie said: "a surprise test like that is not possible."

If the teacher gives the test, she proves that doing so is possible. The question is not the term "surprise" the question is next week. The term "surprise" simply identifies the type of test, and the type is not determined by whether or not Jeanie knows that the test is coming, because "surprise" identifies the test, not the awareness of Jeanie that the test next week is a surprise test. It could just as well be a "new", or "another", or an "old" test.

Jeanie is identifying her knowing of the coming test as eliminating the classification "surprise". That misperceives the fact that the test will be a surprise, unless she knows what the "surprise test" is, which, given the facts, she does not.

Jeanie assumes from an ego-centric point of view, rather than a point of view of the teacher. The teacher is giving a test next week, the nature of the test is a surprise... and that Jeanine knows a test is coming next week in no way diminishes the surprise of that test for Jeanie. She, Jeanie only "thinks" it does. But, when she takes the test she will realize that she is surprised.

Peace