Misleading Syllogisms to Ponder

Proof 1: A Cheese Sandwich is Better Than Complete Happiness.

"Say, what do you think is better, Spike, a cheese sandwich or complete happiness?"

"I'd say complete happiness, of course."

"Then you'd be wrong, my friend. You see, nothing is better than complete happiness but a cheese sandwich is better than nothing. Logically, that means a cheese sandwich is better than complete happiness."

"Eh, that's logic?"

"So it is, Spike, so it is."

An old comedy sketch

History of Economic Thought

New School

(1) Nothing is better than complete happiness.

(2) A cheese sandwich is better than nothing.

(3) Ergo, A cheese sandwich is better than complete happiness.

Proof 2: A Cat Has Nine Tails.

(1) No Cat has eight tails.

(2) A Cat has one more tail than No Cat.

(3) Ergo, A Cat has nine tails.

Proof 3: More Swiss cheese is less Swiss cheese.

(1) More Swiss cheese à More holes

(2) More holes à Less cheese.

(3) Ergo, more Swiss cheese à Less Swiss cheese.

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Author: Ralph Byrns

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