Markovich wrote on 08/23/11 at 02:34:13:
On the other hand, it is known to have been said by Woody Allen. So the burden of proof does seem to rest with those who say Kafka.
That's a non-sequitur. "there must be an attribution somewhere. Somehow, somewhere, someone heard X say this and reported it" applies to Allen as well. Though I still would put my money on Allen, for the same instinctive reason as yours.
TalJechin wrote on 08/23/11 at 10:38:36:
finding a book that actually gives a source won't be easy - if anyone has the time...
Took me less than five minutes, though I couldn't have done it without your link.
TalJechin wrote on 08/23/11 at 10:38:36:
..... seems to be right, according to ....
This article refers to note 22 and 23. The latter source is an interview with Stephen Hawking from 2006. It's very doubtful if this source is independent and/or first hand.
The first is just
Quote:Woody Allen, "Side Effects," 1980.
without indicating what that means. It appears to be a book:
http://www.amazon.com/Side-Effects-Woody-Allen/dp/0345343352Allen - Kafka 1 - 0.
But the match isn't over yet. Indeed it might be the case that Allen borrowed it from somebody else - like Kafka. But now the burden of proof is on his adherents.