Project ForgeUnder a certain legal system, prisoners are allowed to make one statement. If their statement turns out to be true then they are hanged. If the statement turns out to be false then they are shot. One prisoner made a statement and the judge had no option but to set him free. Which one of the following could be that statement?
- AI did not commit the crime
- BI committed the crime
- I will be shot
- DYou committed the crime
Explanation
'I will be shot' creates an unresolvable paradox: if judged TRUE, the rule says he should be hanged — but then he isn't shot, making the statement FALSE, a contradiction. If judged FALSE, the rule says he should be shot — but then the statement 'I will be shot' becomes TRUE, another contradiction. Neither verdict is consistent, so the judge has no choice but to set him free.
Source: GATE ME 2019 Session 1 (Set 1) (2019)
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