Four friends: Dave, Mike, John, and Terry, are nicknamed Stick, Batman, Atomic Head, and Feaser, but not in that order. Which friend has which nickname?

A. John is faster than Batman but not as strong as Atomic Head.
B. Batman is stronger than Terry but slower than Feaser.
C. Dave is faster than both Stick and John, but not as strong as Batman

Strength and speed are independent qualities.

(from Terry Stickels)

Is it the case when one says "Dave is faster than both stick and John" that stick and John are individuals?

 

For example if i said that both the morning star and the evening star are the brightest stars in the sky during the morning and evening respectively, would i be incorrect? Indeed, what is called the morning star is venus, which is also known as the evening star.

 

So are we to take both as seperate individuals necessarily, or indeed if seperate only contingently?

 

Posted by Eamonn on 2005-12-29 06:52:02