# the following variable would be set as the result of a runtime calculation:
x = input("Do you need the answer? (y/n): ")
if x.lower() == "y":
required = True
else:
required = False
def the_answer(self, *args):
return 42
class Philosopher1:
pass
if required:
Philosopher1.the_answer = the_answer
class Philosopher2:
pass
if required:
Philosopher2.the_answer = the_answer