Indeterminacy 44

(Rene Descartes: Principles of Philosophy)

During a counterpoint class at
U.C.L.A., Schoenberg
sent everybody to the blackboard.
We were to
solve a particular problem he
had given and to turn
around when finished so that
he could check on the
correctness of the solution.
I did as directed.
He said,
“That’s good.
Now find another
solution.” I did.
He said,
“Another.” Again I found
one. Again
he said, “Another.”
And so on.
Finally, I said,
“There are no more
solutions.” He said,
“What is the principle
underlying all of the solutions?”

- John Cage