Archive for August 2008
The Dark Knight and Parodoxial Philosophy
So, I went and saw the Dark Knight the other day, and it was an interesting movie indeed. There was one particular moment of sheer philosophical insight during the movie, which made me continue thinking about the significance of what was said.
In the 2008 film “The Dark Knight,” the Joker refers to his struggle with Batman as an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object. This, of course, prompted me to ask the question to my lovely wife … “Well, what would happen if an Unstoppable Force were to hit an Immovable Object?”
My answer? Although there is plenty of rhetoric abounding on the internet regarding the subject of an “irresistible force paradox”, my position is simple in comparison.
I believe, based on what I remember from my college physics class nearly two decades ago, that an atom (aka matter) simply cannot share the same space with another atom without “rearranging the molecules” (loosely, perhaps nuclear fusion).
Therefore, the energy of the unstoppable force would have to be transferred to the immovable object, continuing on its merry way, in the form of the immovable object (maybe). However, the mass of the unstoppable force would take on the “matter” (molecules) of the immovable object, and thus stay put.
But relatively speaking, as far as the immovable object is concerned, it is still there, in the same form. It would appear as if the unstoppable force just went right through the immovable object (from our perspective), but in reality, the new unstoppable force, would be the once immovable object. Easy enough? J
As far as the Joker is concerned, I think the point he was trying to make is that the “Hunter (aka Batman) would now become the hunted”. Give the man some credit – he is witty.
