Would Pi have survived if there wasn't any Richard Parker?
No. It's a paradox, if you think about it. It's like the common saying "When you help others you help yourself". Keeping himself away from the tiger and at the same time trying to keep Richard Parker alive drew most of Pi's attention away from the fact that he might never leave the hazardous sea.
Even if Pi did survive without the tiger, he wouldn't be sane.
Can't believe I didn't think of this earlier. :p Was just ruminating about how to give someone hope or at least, to steer their focus away from their troubles when I thought of this.
