2011-02-08, 04:33 PM
Say that you chose to know what this piece of knowledge is about. The sage did not tell you whether or not the piece of knowledge is about you, and because he purposely made it ambiguous, it is impossible for you to figure out. However, this piece of knowledge is about some past event, and has credible basis. You recognize certain parts of this piece of knowledge, yet other parts seem unfamiliar and strange. You think that this piece of knowledge is about you, but you cannot be certain. You inquire the sage, and after much begging, he tells you that it is either about you or your friend. He then states that he cannot tell you further about who this piece of knowledge belongs to. You scratch your head and try to imagine who this piece of knowledge belongs to, but you cannot. It's too ambiguous. This piece of knowledge is also important, if it is about you. It is unimportant if it is not about you.
3. Do you think that this piece of knowledge is about you, or not about you?
After thinking about it, you believe that this piece of knowledge is too depressing to be about you. There is a possibility that it is about you, and you are not an optimist, but because this piece of knowledge is depressing, and it degrades the person in question, you ultimately decide that it is more comforting to believe that it is not about you. Thus, you instead believe that this piece of knowledge is about your friend.
4. Once you've formed your opinion, if the sage tells you otherwise, would you change your opinion? Keep in mind that it is impossible to figure out who it is about, and only the sage knows the answer. However, because the sage already told you that he cannot tell you further, there is a possibility that he deceives you in this step.
3. Do you think that this piece of knowledge is about you, or not about you?
After thinking about it, you believe that this piece of knowledge is too depressing to be about you. There is a possibility that it is about you, and you are not an optimist, but because this piece of knowledge is depressing, and it degrades the person in question, you ultimately decide that it is more comforting to believe that it is not about you. Thus, you instead believe that this piece of knowledge is about your friend.
4. Once you've formed your opinion, if the sage tells you otherwise, would you change your opinion? Keep in mind that it is impossible to figure out who it is about, and only the sage knows the answer. However, because the sage already told you that he cannot tell you further, there is a possibility that he deceives you in this step.