"The Impossible Yes-No Question - Can You Answer It?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of a yes or no question that cannot be answered with a simple yes or no. Participants explore various examples and scenarios that challenge the nature of such questions, delving into philosophical implications and personal anecdotes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that questions like "Is 'no' the answer to this question?" create a paradox that complicates the response.
  • Others argue that certain questions, such as "Did you know you were being watched while breaking into the blue car?" depend on conditions that may not be true, making them difficult to answer.
  • A few participants share personal experiences where yes or no questions lead to social dilemmas, such as responding to a friend's feelings or comments about appearance.
  • There are repeated assertions that no definitive yes or no question exists that fits the criteria, with some participants likening it to asking for a dog that is not a dog.
  • Some contributions highlight the confusion surrounding the definition of a yes or no question, suggesting that clarity in definitions could lead to different interpretations of the original question.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of agreement and disagreement, with some asserting that no such question exists while others provide examples that they believe fit the criteria. The discussion remains unresolved, with multiple competing views on the nature of yes or no questions.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the definitions of what constitutes a yes or no question, and assumptions about the meanings of the questions posed are not universally agreed upon. The discussion also touches on social implications and personal experiences that may not directly relate to the philosophical inquiry.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those exploring philosophical questions, language and semantics, or social dynamics in communication.

  • #31
Moonbear said:
Oh, you mean the ones like, "Don't you think it's time to take the trash out?" or "Couldn't you watch TV some other time?" or "Can't you ever pick up after yourself?"
Yes these are accurate examples.
 
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  • #32
EnumaElish said:
You can always say "yes" then drag your feet to act on the implications. (The passive aggressive approach.) But if you don't care about her feelings, or you think she can "take it" or should learn how to, then just say the truth: "I really like you as a friend but I am in a relationship right now."

thnx. that is what i thought of dong too.
 
  • #33
No, it didn't start after my scary test. I remember it was his emotion from the first day. Go to his first thread and you can see what I said! :wink:

gravenewworld said:
whenever a girl asks you "Do you like my new haircut?"

yes or no is never the right answer because if you say yes, you are just saying it to be nice, if you say no, then you are a jerk.
:smile: That reminds me of a story. Once a woman who just get married, asks his husband "Would you marry again if I'd die before you?"
The man tries to side step her question by saying he can't stay alive after her, he'll kill himself, the life would be intolerable and that kind of things!
The woman insist on having an answer, he says "NO! Never"
She start :cry: ing and says "do you want to say you're having too terrible life with me and hate all women after our marriage that you don't want to make your mistake again?"
The man:"No, I'm having a great time.so yes, I'll marry again for sure perhaps more than 1 time"
The woman: "How cheeky and unfaithful! I'm still alive and you're talking about remarriage and other women? :cry: "
The man finally get angry and kills his wife accidently!
 
  • #34
Lisa! said:
No, it didn't start after my scary test. I remember it was his emotion from the first day. Go to his first thread and you can see what I said! :wink:


:smile: That reminds me of a story. Once a woman who just get married, asks his husband "Would you marry again if I'd die before you?"
The man tries to side step her question by saying he can't stay alive after her, he'll kill himself, the life would be intolerable and that kind of things!
The woman insist on having an answer, he says "NO! Never"
She start :cry: ing and says "do you want to say you're having too terrible life with me and hate all women after our marriage that you don't want to make your mistake again?"
The man:"No, I'm having a great time.so yes, I'll marry again for sure perhaps more than 1 time"
The woman: "How cheeky and unfaithful! I'm still alive and you're talking about remarriage and other women? :cry: "
The man finally get angry and kills his wife accidently!


lol :rolleyes:
 
  • #35
Do you think that's funny?
 
  • #36
well i m in going through a bad time, so i had to laugh to keep my self alive.:blushing:
 
  • #37
Oops! I thought you wouldn't answer my question and :rolleyes"
 
  • #38
oops :rolleyes:
 
  • #39
"Have you stopped beating your gf?"

Answering "no" says that you do beat her, and answering "yes" implies that you used to.

This only works if 'yes' and 'no' are the only responses allowed.
 
  • #40
gurkhawarhorse said:
well i m in going through a bad time, so i had to laugh to keep my self alive.:blushing:
Lemmesee, you're in a relationship but at least one other female is advancing on you... Hm, you must be going through some really tough times. So what's so bad with your life aside from that? Is it so bad you can't tell us?
 
  • #41
rocketboy said:
"Have you stopped beating your gf?"

Answering "no" says that you do beat her, and answering "yes" implies that you used to.

This only works if 'yes' and 'no' are the only responses allowed.

you can also do, "Do you beat your spouse for pleasure?" yes says you do enjoy it, no says you do it, but she deserves it or something.
 
  • #42
"Will you admit that you stole the car?"
 
  • #43
EnumaElish said:
Lemmesee, you're in a relationship but at least one other female is advancing on you... Hm, you must be going through some really tough times. So what's so bad with your life aside from that? Is it so bad you can't tell us?

today she asked me for a kiss in the cheek. i gave :blushing: though no one saw. it was a mistake. :cry: minutes later she came with another question " will u kiss me in lips :confused: , ". :bugeye: every one was seeing just :eek: :cry: :cry: :cry:
there.
i said no. :smile:
she said" cmmon u just kissed me in cheek u can do it in lipe please. every one heard :cry: :cry: :cry:
i went away. :redface: :cry: :cry: :cry:
the girl i like was not there in the school today.
and she doesn't talk to the psycho girl much too.
hope she won't find out.
 
Last edited:
  • #44
gurkhawarhorse said:
the girl i like was not there in the school today.
and she doesn't talk to the psycho girl much too.
hope she won't find out.
Better to assume that she will find out and be ready for her reaction. (Hope for the best, be ready for the worst.) Do you think the liking is reciprocal with the girl you like? Does she know you exist? Would she be upset if she found out, or would she say "gurkawho? Kissed who? Do I care? No?"

And why did you call your schoolmate "psycho"? It appears like she really likes you, and if she was a psycho what would that tell about you?

So that's what makes you think you're in some tough times? Gimme a break.
 
  • #45
EnumaElish said:
So that's what makes you think you're in some tough times? Gimme a break.

no not at all...
 
  • #46
EnumaElish said:
Do you think the liking is reciprocal with the girl you like? Does she know you exist? Would she be upset if she found out,


yep. she is my gf, i met her in my country and she is here in england w/ me. :smile:
 
  • #47
gurkhawarhorse said:
no not at all...
If that's not it, what is it then? Too much HW, too little time? Were you joking when you posted you were in for some tough times?
 
  • #48
gurkhawarhorse said:
yep. she is my gf, i met her in my country and she is here in england w/ me. :smile:
In that case, you are right to be concerned about upsetting her, IMHO. Because you have expectations from each other.
 
  • #49
what happened today was in my mind the whole day so i just posted it.
i didnt want to post "no i m not saying it to u"
and i still wanted to respond to your sympathy.
so i felt that it is worth mentoning.
the tough times are related to my friends back home.
 
  • #50
gurkhawarhorse said:
the tough times are related to my friends back home.
Sorry to hear; I hope that you and they will find the strength to pull through with relative ease and/or unharm.
 

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