Resolution of the Surprise Exam Paradox
Tahl Nowik
TL;DR
This paper resolves the Surprise Exam Paradox by analyzing the concept of 'surprise' as used in the story, demonstrating that the paradox disappears under a precise interpretation of 'surprise'.
Contribution
It provides a logical analysis that clarifies the meaning of 'surprise', resolving the paradox without contradictions.
Findings
No paradox when 'surprise' is precisely defined
Clarification of 'surprise' resolves logical inconsistencies
Analysis aligns with the story's original meaning
Abstract
We present a resolution of the celebrated "Surprise Exam Paradox". We argue that if the surprise exam story is analyzed using the exact same meaning of the notion of "surprise" as is dictated by the story itself, then no paradox arises.
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Taxonomy
TopicsEpistemology, Ethics, and Metaphysics · Diverse Philosophical and Cultural Studies