Dilemma Types 

Dilemmas come in a variety of flavors.  Here is a selection…

Double BindSomeone (the ‘victim’) is placed in a ‘no win’ situation by another.  The victim feels obliged to act but

either choice is incompatible with a greater truth (sometimes associated with the other person).

The lover that demands the partner be spontaneous creates a ‘double bind’ because whichever way

the partner responds the truth of the matter is that spontaneity is what it is and cannot by definition be

demanded.

The worker encouraged to take time off to rest and at the same time to meet performance targets by

an employer who is habitually overworking the worker.

Moral DilemmaA choice to be made will inevitably result in the chooser going against one or more of their moral instincts.

Whether to co-operate with others to work towards a long term gain for all, or act in self-interest for a

short term gain for oneself.

Whether to steal to feed your family,

BlackmailWhether to co-operate or suffer an unpleasant consequence?

FairnessHow should resources be distributed among a group of people?  According to effort put in by individuals

in acquiring them? According to need?

A classic example was in the Cold War where the competing ideologies – Capitalism

and Communism attempted to sway the World.

Morton’s ForkTwo lines of thinking that lead to the same unpleasant conclusion.

The name comes from John Morton, the Archbishop of Canterbury in the 15th century, who suggested

that a man living modestly must be saving money and can therefore afford to pay taxes, but if he lives

extravagantly then he is clearly rich and can still afford them.

Prisoners DilemmaIf co-operation promises greater reward than individual action but you can’t be sure of the co-operation

then how should you act? This is a classic thought experiment that is applicable to real life.

Two people are arrested and held separately.  Police don’t have enough evidence against either so they

offer both the same deal;

If you betray the other and the other co-operates or remains silent then you go free and the other gets

a full one-year sentence.

If you both remain silent you both go free.

If you both co-operate then you both get a sentence of one month.

If you both betray each other then you both get a sentence of three months.