Raymond Smullyan
Raymond Smullyan
Raymond Merrill Smullyan is an American mathematician, concert pianist, logician, Taoist philosopher, and magician...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionMathematician
CountryUnited States of America
people critical precise
Some people are always critical of vague statements. I tend rather to be critical of precise statements; they are the only ones which can correctly be labeled wrong.
confusion mind matter
Metaphysical problems about "mind" versus "matter" arise only from epistemological confusions.
responsibility moral sin
There is nothing like a naturalistic orientation to dispel all these morbid thoughts of "sin" and "free will" and "moral responsibility.
choices free-will chosen
I have free will, but not of my own choice. I have never freely chosen to have free will. I have to have free will, whether I like it or not!
astrology reason ifs
Recently, someone asked me if I believed in astrology. He seemed somewhat puzzled when I explained that the reason I don't is that I'm a Gemini.
years people half
Because I have been a magician for many years, people have often asked me whether I ever have sawn a woman in half. I reply, Oh, yes I've sawn over seventy women in half in my lifetime, and I'm learning the second half of the trick now.
worried should should-i
Why should I be worried about death?...
atmosphere serious rational
Humor could not flourish in a wholly serious and rational atmosphere.