Today's question has two disparate parts. First, which paradox does the cartoon allude to? Second, what issue is the cartoon dealing with? Note that some text has been blanked out in the bottom left.Answer: The paradox is that of Buridan's ass which refers to a hypothetical situation when an ass placed exactly in the middle of two hay stacks of equal size will starve to death unable to decide which one to start eating. This is named after the 14th century French philosopher Jean Buridan. The cartoon refers to the US government's indecision between choosing Nicaragua or Panama to build the canal connecting the Atlantic and the Pacific. Ultimately, Panama was chosen but there is some colorful history involved in the decision process. Karthik, Ramji, Ajinkya, Iam, Major Shankar, Hari, Manix, Hasan, Suchitra, Srivats, nice try and Hirak got it. Well done.
12 comments:
Buridan's Ass. Indecision on the part of the senate to with Panama or Nicaragua the canal.
the issue is whether to build a canal through panama or nicaragua.
the paradox is buridan's ass, where a hungry ass cannot choose between two equal stacks of hay.
Buridan's Ass - which grass to eat?
The cartoon refers to the American debate regarding whether to build a canal over Panama or Nicaragua.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buridan's_ass
Buridian's ass
Panama/ Nicaraguan Canal
PARADOX: BURDIAN PARADOX
EVENT: Choice between a Panama route or a Nicaragua route for an Atlantic-Pacific canal in 1900.
Buridan's Ass
Buridan's ass, and the US deciding between Panama and Nicaragua to build a canal...
I must confess that as the last resort, I googled "ass paradox" and this was the first link! Before that, I was stumped completely! However, it was great b'cos I read up on Nicaragua and got caught up on its latest news (I remember the Somozas and Sandinistas and Ollie North when I was in school but after that I lost track!). Thanks Dinky!
Buridan's ass paradox, where an ass starves to death because it cannot rationally choose between two equally good options.
The cartoon refers to the US's Congress confusion in selecting a route (country) for making a canal connecting the atlantic and the pacific
Buridan's ass paradox. Refers to US congress decision between Nicaragua/Panama canal
Buridans Ass
Panama
Congress debating between a Panama route or a Nicaragua route for an Atlantic-Pacific canal.
buridan's ass
panama
Buridan's paradox. Re: Panama and Nicaragua for the canal.
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