flinn@seismo.UUCP (E. A. Flinn) (02/07/84)
Protagoras taught law to Euathlos on the condition that he would be paid in full for his services as oon as Euathlos won his first case. But when Euathlos completed his legal studies, he went into politics and never practiced law. He refused to pay Protagoras on the ground that he had never won his first case. Protagoras sued Euathlos, and argued as follows before the court: "You will wither win this case, or you will lose it. If you win it, you will have won your first case, and will be obliged to pay me. If you lose it, you must obey the court and pay me. Consequently, whether you win or lose the case, you must pay me." Euathlos replied to the following effect: "Granted, I will either win this case or I will not. If I win, the judgement of the court will be in my favor, and I will not have to pay you. If I lose, then I will not have won my first case, and do not have to pay you. Therefore, whether I win or lose, I need not pay you."