Tullius est [et Tullius non est Cicero]: riddles

Unlike my ancient predecessor, this Tullius hasn't had his hands chopped off. With hands attached I offer my thoughts on philosophy, religion, politics, and whatever else I find worth mentioning. I'm conservative religiously and politically (with libertarian leanings). I value reason and freedom but also traditions and "Oldthink." I relish being on the wrong side of history when history is wrong--part of a philosopher's job is to be unpopular. (Views given here may not represent my employers')

Showing posts with label riddles. Show all posts

Thursday, June 5, 2014

My Five-Year-Old Son, Ambiguous Reference, and a Riddle

On the way home from swimming lessons just now:

Sam: Daddy, this is a riddle...
Me: "THIS" is not a riddle.
Sam: No, Daddy. This is a riddle...
Me: "This" is NOT a riddle!
Sam: Daddy, STOP! I am GOING TO tell you a riddle.
Me: What is it?
Sam: I am red...
Me: That's not true. You are not red!
Sam: No, this is a riddle!
Me: I thought we had established that "THIS" is not a riddle?
Sam: No, I am going to tell you a riddle. Here's the riddle: I am red and I am shaped like a brick. What is it?
Me: How about a red brick?
Sam: No, that's not it.
Me: But a red brick is red and shaped like a brick.
Sam: No, that's not it. Do you want to know what it is?
Me: Yes. What is it?
Sam: It's this thing on my shoe. It's red and shaped like a brick.