Question

An ancient Sicilian legend says that the barber in a remote town who can be reached only by traveling a dangerous mountain road shaves those people, and only those people, who do not shave themselves. Can there be such a barber

Answer 1

The ancient Sicilian legend about the barber poses a logical paradox known as the Barber Paradox. It is logically impossible for there to exist a barber who shaves only those people who do not shave themselves.

Step-by-step explanation:

The ancient Sicilian legend about the barber poses an interesting logical paradox known as the Barber Paradox. According to the legend, the barber shaves only those people who do not shave themselves. So, the question is, can there be such a barber?

The answer lies in recognizing that this legend creates a paradoxical situation. If we assume that the barber shaves himself, then he should not be shaved by the barber, as the barber only shaves those who do not shave themselves. On the other hand, if we assume that the barber does not shave himself, then he should be shaved by the barber, as the barber shaves everyone who does not shave themselves.

This contradiction means that it is logically impossible for there to exist a barber who fulfills the conditions set by the legend. The legend creates an impossible scenario, leading to the conclusion that there cannot be such a barber.

Answer 2

No there cannot be.

Step-by-step explanation:

In explaining this question, I would like us to take into account who the barber is,

" the barber is the one who shaves all those, and those only, who do not shave themselves".

This barber cannot be in existence because who would shave him? If he should shave himself then there is a violation of the rule which says he shaves only those who do not shave themselves. If he shaves himself then he ceases to be a barber. And if he does not shave himself then he happens to be under those who must be shaved by the barber, because of what the rule says. But then he is the barber.

This lead us to a contradiction.

Neither is possible so there is no such barber.