The Paradox
This story dates back to many years back. This is part of ancient Greek history. Long, long ago, there was a Law teacher by the name of Euathlus. During the course of his many years of teaching he came across a student, Protagoras, who was willing to learn but was unable to pay the fees. However, the student was not allowing the teacher to teach without charging him. So, the student struck a deal with the teacher saying, "I will pay your fee the day I win my first case in the court".
Euathlus agreed and proceeded with the law course. When the course was finished and teacher started pestering the student to pay up the fee, the student reminded him of the deal and pushed days.Fed up with this, the teacher decided to sue the student in the court of law and both of them decided to argue for themselves.
The teacher put forward his argument saying and the student countered
What comes now is what explains paradox is. For simplicity let us break this into 2 scenarios
The teachers Paradox
Scenario 1 - Euathlus wins and Protagoras loses - The teacher Euathlus wins the case then as per the law, Protagoras would be bound to pay him as the case is about his non-payment of dues.
Scenario 2 - Euathlus loses and Protagoras wins - The teacher Euathlus loses the case, Protagoras will still have to pay Euathlus because he would have won his first case as per the original agreement
So, either way Euathlus will get the money
Equally brilliant, the student had a counter paradox
Scenario 1 - Protagoras wins and Euathlus loses – If the student Protagoras wins the case then; as per law, he is not bound to pay anything to Euathlus, as the case is about non-payment of dues.
Scenario 2 - Protagoras loses and Euathlus wins – If Protagoras loses the case then; he will not have to pay Euathlus because hasn’t won his first case as per the original agreement
So, either way, Protagoras will not pay.
This is one of the greatest paradoxes ever recorded. Who is right and who is the winner still remains as a question.
This case was not solved. The most interesting part is, it is still debated (even today) and remains unsolved. The question still remains, which of the two men is right?
The Paradox of the Court, also known as the counter dilemma of Euathlus or Protagoras' paradox
Life sometimes puts us in a path where you have to be the judge of decisions where such paradoxes. What do you do? That’s the mystery question which nobody has been able to hit it right.