the cats not dead till you see it?

Question

a professor had a dead cat in the box but didn't tell any body it was dead under the belief that because no body could see the cat and the last time any one saw it it was alive so as long as no one saw it it was nether dead or alive and it would continue to be in this state of nether life or death until some one saw it and there for forced the cat to be one or the other
what do u think

Answer 1

it's either a classic case of denial...

-or-

the fact that the observer changes the observed makes it possible that the cat is not dead. however you stated that the professor knew the cat was already dead. it was observed.

interesting, but in my opinion, a bit overthought.

Answer 2

The cat was dead, whether anyone knew it or not. You acknowledge as much in the first sentence of your question. Everyone else believed the cat to be alive, but it was a false belief based on their not having complete, up-to-date information.

Besides, wouldn't the stench have given it away? You think no one knew that the cat was dead? The nose knows!

Answer 3

Yes. It is the idea of multiple possibilities, or superposition. All possiblities are existing simultaneously, until observed. It shows the significance of the observer. By observation alone, it then becomes placed into only one of those possibilities. So does observation have the ability to alter reality? We may never know- without observing. I have always found this idea to be very interesting.

Answer 4

Are you the professor? coz im beginning to sense some guilt here =)

definitely, the cat will be presumed to have disappeared. until the CARCASS smells, then the truth will be out =)

Hope this helps, Peace.

Answer 5

Or in the case of the cat in the box until you smell it. I don't have to see to believe.

Answer 6

I think Schroedinger was just trying to psyche you out.

Answer 7

I think he needs help....where'd he get the cat?!? :-p

Answer 8

when the corpse starts to smell, then you'll know...