Dilemma

A dilemma (Greek: δίλημμα "double proposition") is a problem offering two possibilities, neither of which is unambiguously acceptable or preferable. One in this position has been traditionally described as "being on the horns of a dilemma", neither horn being comfortable. This is sometimes more colorfully described as "Finding oneself impaled upon the horns of a dilemma", referring to the sharp points of a bull's horns, equally uncomfortable (and dangerous).

The dilemma is sometimes used as a rhetorical device, in the form "you must accept either A, or B"; here A and B would be propositions each leading to some further conclusion. Applied incorrectly, it constitutes a false dichotomy, a fallacy.

Types

Colorful names have been given to many types of dilemmas.

• Chicken or egg: which is first of two things, each of which presupposes the other
• Double bind: conflicting requirements ensure that the victim will automatically be wrong.
• Ethical dilemma: a choice between moral imperatives.
• Extortion: the choice between paying the extortionist and suffering an unpleasant action.
• Hedgehog's dilemma: the desire for intimacy going unfulfilled due to accompanying substantial mutual harm.
• Fairness dilemmas: when groups are faced with making decisions about how to share their resources, rewards, or payoffs.
• Hobson's choice: a choice between something and nothing; "take it or leave it".
• Mesh Fencer: relates to a difficult commercial choice where neither option is cost effective but a decision has to be made.
• Morton's fork: choices yield equivalent, often undesirable, results.
• Prisoner's dilemma: an inability to coordinate makes cooperation difficult and defection tempting.
• Samaritan's dilemma: the choice between providing charity and improving another's condition, and withholding it to prevent them from becoming dependent.
• Sophie's choice: a choice between two persons or things that will result in the death or destruction of the person or thing not chosen.
• Traveler's dilemma: you could make the best move possible to win the game according to its rules. But in doing so, you forfeit almost the entire value of a lost suitcase full of antiques of which you are the owner.
• Zugzwang: one must move and incur harm when one would prefer to make no move (esp. in chess).

Related terms

Several idioms describe dilemmas:

• "Damned if you do, damned if you don't"
• "Between Scylla and Charybdis"
• "Lesser of two evils"
• "Between a rock and a hard place", since both objects or metaphorical choices are rough.
• "Between the devil and the deep blue sea"
• "Out of the frying pan, into the fire"

A dilemma with more than two forks is sometimes called a trilemma (3), tetralemma (4), or more generally a polylemma.

Use in logic

In formal logic, the definition of a dilemma differs markedly from everyday usage. Two options are still present, but choosing between them is immaterial because they both imply the same conclusion. Symbolically expressed thus:

$A\vee B,A\Rightarrow C,B\Rightarrow C,\vdash C$

Which can be translated informally as "one (or both) of A or B is known to be true, but they both imply C, so regardless of the truth values of A and B we can conclude C." This is a rule of inference called Disjunction elimination.

There are also constructive dilemmas and destructive dilemmas.

Constructive dilemmas

1. (If X, then Y) and (If W, then Z).

2. X or W.

3. Therefore, Y or Z.

Destructive dilemmas

1. (If X, then Y) and (If W, then Z).

2. Not Y or not Z.

3. Therefore, not X or not W.

See also

• Coordination game
• Dichotomy
• Dilemma analysis
• Dilemma story
• Paradox
• There are known knowns

References