An Allegory

Moulton Lava

Friday, June 28, 2013

An Allegory

Once upon a time there was a young father who was teaching his 9-year old son how to play chess. The lad was eager to play and to win. He even read the rule book himself just to be sure his father hadn't left out any information about the rules of the game.

But not long after the lad had finished reading the rule book of chess for himself, he began using a move that was not a proper move under the rules of chess. In particular, the lad was moving a piece that was not his. The father patiently explained to the lad that manipulating another player's piece was not a proper move. But the boy was adamant and persistent, inexplicably asserting the father was also doing exactly the same thing — moving an opponent's piece.

Finally, in exasperation, the father said, "OK. I am going to play the next move using your set of rules, even though I say those are not the appropriate way to play chess."

And then the father moved the lad's king off the board.

Game over, lad. Game over.