A prisoner is told: 'If you tell a lie, we will hang you. If you tell the truth, we will shoot you.' What does the prisoner say to survive?

Why this works

At first glance, this riddle seems to trap the prisoner in a no-win situation, but it cleverly plays with the concept of truth and contradiction. When the prisoner declares, "You will hang me," he creates a paradox that confounds his captors. If his statement is true, then according to their rules, they must shoot him, which would make his declaration a lie. Conversely, if they choose to hang him, that would validate his claim and render it true, thus forcing them into a logical loop from which they cannot escape. This riddle is not just a test of wit; it dives into the fascinating realm of logic and the nature of language, highlighting how a single statement can lead to multiple interpretations. The brilliance lies in how it reveals the absurdity of their conditions, prompting an "aha moment" where the listener realizes the cleverness of the prisoner’s response. Such paradoxes, known as self-referential statements, have intrigued thinkers throughout history, from philosophers to mathematicians, as they challenge the boundaries of logic and reasoning. In fact, this type of riddle echoes the classic "liar paradox," which has roots in ancient philosophy and has been explored by figures like Epimenides, who famously declared, "All Cretans are liars." So, the next time you find yourself in a tight spot, remember that sometimes, a well-crafted paradox can be your best escape route!