The Voorman Problem

The Voorman Problem

"May I ask how long you have believed yourself a g-d?
I am ask you the same question.
I don't believe myself to be a g-d.
You believe yourself to be a psychiatrist.
Yes. Since I began practicing my profession."

I liked this exchange a lot because implies that the truths are what you believe to be true. One man believes he is a psychiatrist the other, g-d. While to us, it seams more likely that one would be a psychiatrist than a g-d, if you believe something hard enough it becomes true. Its a self fulfilling prophecy.

Form a psychological point of view a self fulfilling prophecy is "a prediction that causes itself to come true due to the simple fact that the prediction was made. This happens because our beliefs influence our actions."

Read more: http://www.alleydog.com/glossary/definition.php?term=Self%20Fulfilling%20Prophecy#ixzz3GL0UQ6Jx

It is clear here that both men act a certain way because they have predicted their professional labels. Dr. William goes into evaluate a prisoner because he believes he is a psychiatrist was as asked to do so. Mr. Voorman is playing a game with a human because he believes thats what g-d would do and he is g-d. 

Both men entertain the other's beliefs which completes the prophecy,