Editing 1153: Proof
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{{w|Zeno of Elea}} was an ancient Greek philosopher who devised several apparent paradoxes of motion called {{w|Zeno's paradoxes}}. Here are the two relevant to the comic: | {{w|Zeno of Elea}} was an ancient Greek philosopher who devised several apparent paradoxes of motion called {{w|Zeno's paradoxes}}. Here are the two relevant to the comic: | ||
− | :'''Arrow paradox:''' At any instant in time, an arrow suspended in mid-air is no different from an arrow in motion. How, then, can motion occur? | + | :'''Arrow paradox:''' At any instant in time, an arrow suspended in mid-air is no different from an arrow in motion. How, then, can motion occur? The lawyer presumably intends to use this argument to prove that his client could not have used the arrow to commit murder. |
− | :'''Dichotomy paradox:''' Suppose I need to go from point A to point B. First I must walk halfway there | + | :'''Dichotomy paradox:''' Suppose I need to go from point A to point B. First I must walk halfway there. Then I must walk a quarter of the way there, then an eighth of the way there, and so on. Since I have to make an infinite number of non-zero steps, I will never reach point B. By the same argument, the lawyer in the cartoon can get closer and closer to the judge's table, but never reach it. |
− | There are two | + | There are two mathematics/law puns present in the comic, on the words "approach" and "proof." Aside from its literal meaning, "{{w|approach the bench}}" is a legal term meaning to have a private conversation with the judge. "Proof" can mean a {{w|mathematical proof}} or a {{w|Evidence (law)|legal proof}}. |
− | {{w|Gottfried Leibniz}} is the co-inventor of {{w|calculus}} (along with Isaac Newton | + | {{w|Gottfried Leibniz}} is the co-inventor of {{w|calculus}} (along with Isaac Newton). The prosecution calls him (in the title text) for his expertise with {{w|infinitesimal}}s, which are indefinitely small but non-zero mathematical expressions. Calculus suggests that Zeno's paradoxes are invalid, because: the arrow's velocity can be calculated at each infinitesimal step of its flight, the infinitely many steps add up to a finite sum, and the series of operations can be completed in finite time. |
− | [[994: Advent Calendar]] | + | Zeno has been mentioned before, in [[994: Advent Calendar|comic #994]]. |
==Transcript== | ==Transcript== | ||
:Zeno: My client couldn't have killed anyone with this arrow, and I can ''prove'' it! | :Zeno: My client couldn't have killed anyone with this arrow, and I can ''prove'' it! | ||
:Judge: I'd like to examine your proof, Zeno. You may approach the bench. | :Judge: I'd like to examine your proof, Zeno. You may approach the bench. | ||
− | :Zeno: | + | :Zeno: — But never reach it! |
{{comic discussion}} | {{comic discussion}} | ||
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[[Category:Philosophy]] | [[Category:Philosophy]] | ||
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