Why being too logical will lead to failing.

[1MileCrash]

True or False:

"The moon has no atmosphere because we never see any clouds on the moon."


Apparently, "The moon has no atmosphere because we never see any clouds" and "We never see any clouds on the moon because it has no atmosphere" are logically equivalent statements to the layman astronomy teacher.

I had no idea that humans inability to see clouds on the moon caused it not to have an atmosphere. That is quite frankly amazing.

 

[Jimmy Snyder]

The teacher means "We know the moon has no atmosphere because we never see any clouds on the moon." It is a false statement because we could fail to see clouds even if there was an atmosphere.

 

[1MileCrash]

The teacher means "We know the moon has no atmosphere because we never see any clouds on the moon."

Math majors are taught to "say what they mean and mean what they say" (in those precise words) at my university. It is ingrained in me. If a statement is false, it is false, I don't consider the intention of the writer of the statement, especially if the statement is meant to be a test of truth or falsehood in the first place.

It is a false statement because we could fail to see clouds even if there was an atmosphere.

I would have to agree, considering the apparent intent of the statement.