The Hanging Judge

Here's an ancient puzzle that is quite interesting. It's solvable, try not to look at the answer. It goes like this: 

Now Judge Dread had had many disagreeable before him, but this one, who styled himself 'the Philosopher', is particularly annoying. Dread says:

"You have been found guilty of being a crook and a swindler and repeatedly lying to the court to save your wretched skin. Well, justice has caught up with you now, my friend. The sentence is..." *drum roll* "...Death by Hanging."

"...HOWEVER, as I'm a magnanimous Judge, ahem, I shall give you one more opportunity to learn the value of truth. If, on the day of your execution, you sign a statement making one true declaration, the sentence will be commuted to ten years imprisonment. If, on the other hand, your statement is false, the sentence will be carried out immediately."

At this the jury applaud at the severity of the sentence and everybody is pleased to to see such a villain get a heavy sentence, coupled with the humiliating public true declaration. But strangely, the Philosopher just smirks back as he is led away to Death Row.

The day of execution arrived and the crook, beaming, signs a declaration which is handed to Dread who read it with growing bewilderment. Then, snarling, he crumples it and orders the Philosopher be released, with no penalty whatsoever to be imposed.

 

What could the prisoner have said in the statement to have saved himself?

 

 

 

*******

This's similar to the 'All Men Are Liars' (said by a man) type of paradox. The Philosopher just have to say, "I'll be hanged." Then he can't be executed (since the statement is true) or sent to prison (since the statement is false). Think about it.

 

From 101 Philosophy Problems by Martin Cohen