Odd and even a philosophical illusion

[Crothian]

There is a radio commercial I keep hearing that says this and I looked it up on line but couldn't really come up with a good reason. I did come across many others asking the same question though.

I'm hoping with all the educated people here someone will know what the commercial is referring to. Thanks!

 

[Umbran]

I have not found a direct example, but I found references to a radio commercial promoting math and science skills in girls - a girl asking her father questions like, "Why is the sky blue?" and such. Apparently, the commercial ends with the girl asking her father if he knew why the concepts of odd and even are considered a philosophical illusion, and Dad's answer is, "Why don't you tell me?"

I have never heard that particular question before. I would imagine some would consider them an illusion insofar as they feel that numbers don't have a real existence. As a physicist (and by extension, a bit of a mathematician), I'd have to disagree with that notion.

 

[Shea]

Illusion Allusion

Well ... my first thought is that they are actually saying "allusion" not "illusion". Allusions are referenced often in philosophy, illusions ... not so much.

 

[Crothian]

It could be, listening to the kid speak it could go either way. She didn't enunciate that well.

 

[Janx]

Well ... my first thought is that they are actually saying "allusion" not "illusion". Allusions are referenced often in philosophy, illusions ... not so much.

Without hearing the commercial, you make a probable case.

Except for 2, all even numbers cannot be prime (since they are divisible by 2).

That's a huge difference from odd numbers, which a subset of CAN be prime numbers.

Because of this vast difference, there is no "illusion" between odd and even. They aren't just labels. As such, the word used must be "allusion" because "illusion" makes less sense.

I suspect somebody could argue that the original statement with "illusion" could make sense. In which case, you win.

 

[Janx]

Google revealed MULTIPLE pages on the topic, using the word "Illusion" which means Illusion must be the right word.

Odd and even a philosophical illusion - Google Search

This means I win.

 

[Umbran]

Because of this vast difference, there is no "illusion" between odd and even. They aren't just labels. As such, the word used must be "allusion" because "illusion" makes less sense.

Unless you think "prime" and "non-prime" are also illusory. If numbers do not have reality (as opposed to being "real", since "real numbers" are something pretty specific), then any distinction between numbers has no more reality.

Google revealed MULTIPLE pages on the topic, using the word "Illusion" which means Illusion must be the right word.

Because, as we all know, the Internet (and Google, specifically) never gives us spurious information

 

[Janx]

Unless you think "prime" and "non-prime" are also illusory. If numbers do not have reality (as opposed to being "real", since "real numbers" are something pretty specific), then any distinction between numbers has no more reality.




Because, as we all know, the Internet (and Google, specifically) never gives us spurious information

My point about google was that it directly led to pages discussing "Odd and even a philosophical illusion" as a valid topic, thus demonstrating that the word was "illusion" and not "allusion". Thus, your second argument fails to disprove that the search results are indeed about "Odd and even a philosophical illusion."

However, your first point is an excellent counter to the "allusion" theory, and so it wins.

We both win the argument. Arguments are easier to win when you argue both sides.

 

[Crothian]

They all seem to orginate though from this commercial so it could be everyone mishearing what is being said.

 

[Umbran]

We both win the argument. Arguments are easier to win when you argue both sides.

Winning and losing arguments on the internet - there's a real illusion!

There is only learning and ignorance, there is no win or loss here.