Buridan's ass: Difference between revisions
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'''Buridan's ass''' was an illustration of a problem in the philosophy of free will. It refers to [[wikipedia:Jean Buridan|Jean Buridan]], a [[France|French]] philosopher in the [[14th century]] who once carried out an experiment with a hungry [[donkey]]. He placed it exactly between two mangers filled with hay, and the beast starved to death because it couldn't work out which one to go for. | '''Buridan's ass''' was an illustration of a problem in the philosophy of free will. It refers to [[wikipedia:Jean Buridan|Jean Buridan]], a [[France|French]] philosopher in the [[14th century]] who once carried out an experiment with a hungry [[donkey]]. He placed it exactly between two mangers filled with hay, and the beast starved to death because it couldn't work out which one to go for. | ||
The [[Fifth Doctor|Fifth]] and [[Eighth Doctor]]s used this concept on the [[Eye of Orion]]. They both stayed equidistant from a [[Raston Warrior Robot]] as they approached it. Unable to decide on a target, the [[robot]] deactivated. ([[ | The [[Fifth Doctor|Fifth]] and [[Eighth Doctor]]s used this concept on the [[Eye of Orion]]. They both stayed equidistant from a [[Raston Warrior Robot]] as they approached it. Unable to decide on a target, the [[robot]] deactivated. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Eight Doctors (novel)|The Eight Doctors]]'') | ||
{{Wikipediainfo}} | {{Wikipediainfo}} | ||
[[Category:Philosophy]] | [[Category:Philosophy]] | ||
Revision as of 14:39, 16 September 2012
Buridan's ass was an illustration of a problem in the philosophy of free will. It refers to Jean Buridan, a French philosopher in the 14th century who once carried out an experiment with a hungry donkey. He placed it exactly between two mangers filled with hay, and the beast starved to death because it couldn't work out which one to go for.
The Fifth and Eighth Doctors used this concept on the Eye of Orion. They both stayed equidistant from a Raston Warrior Robot as they approached it. Unable to decide on a target, the robot deactivated. (PROSE: The Eight Doctors)
