Dilemmas Overview

Centipede's Dilemma

• Actively thinking about automatic activities impairs performance.
• Example: A centipede cannot walk when consciously thinking about leg movement.
• Related to unconscious processes (e.g., breathing).

Bystander's Dilemma (or Genovese Syndrome)

• Scenario: A person is assaulted in public, and witnesses assume others will call for help, leading to inaction.
• Reference: Kitty Genovese case, New York, 1964.

Transplant Dilemma

• Questions of priority for organ transplants: Who should receive them?
  • Youngest patients?
  • Sickest patients?
  • Healthiest patients?
  • Longest on waiting list?

Morton's Fork

• A false dilemma where contradictory observations lead to the same conclusion.
• Example: Explaining tax payment logic to King Henry in the 15th century.

Dictator's Dilemma

• A dictator can't understand public opinion due to repressive measures.
• Citizens fake preferences to avoid punishment.

Autonomous Vehicle Dilemma

• Ethical decision for self-driving cars: Should they prioritize drivers or pedestrians?

Strategic Voting Dilemma

• Voters must choose between voting for their preferred candidate or a more viable option.
• Risk of vote-splitting impacting election outcomes.

Becker's Dilemma

• Liberal states rely on civic responsibilities that cannot be enforced through legislation.
• Creates instability in maintaining societal values.

Samaritan's Dilemma

• Helping someone in need could create dependency or reduce motivation for self-improvement.

Social Dilemma

• Individuals benefit from cooperation but fail due to conflicting personal interests.
• Examples: Climate change, political non-voting issues.

Hedgehog's Dilemma

• Explains the challenge of intimacy in relationships, where close proximity leads to potential harm.
• Originated from Schopenhauer's philosophy.

Hines's Dilemma

• Ethical question regarding stealing expensive medicine to save a dying spouse.
• Reflects on moral development stages.

Schelling's Dilemma (Hobbesian Trap)

• Preemptive attacks arise from fear of imminent threats, leading to arms races.
• Mutual distrust results in negative outcomes for all parties.

Innocent Prisoners Dilemma

• Legal systems may punish truthful individuals and reward those lacking integrity.

Münchhausen Trilemma

• Challenges the ability to prove truths without assuming prior acceptance.
• Three ways to complete proofs: Circular, regressive, and dogmatic arguments.

Prisoner's Dilemma

• Two rational agents must choose between cooperation or betrayal.
• Example scenario with gang members in custody.
• Best group outcome: both remain silent.
• Best individual outcome: betray the partner.

Triffin Dilemma

• National currency as a world reserve currency creates conflicts between liquidity and currency value.
• Running trade deficits vs. maintaining value.

Trolley Problem

• Ethical dilemma involving a choice to kill one person to save five in a runaway trolley scenario.

Warock Dilemma

• Reflects on the uncertainty of receiving responses in community posts.
• Possible reasons: uninteresting topic, poorly written, or well-written (nothing to add).

Monty Hall Dilemma

• Game show scenario where participants must decide whether to stick with their choice or switch after one option is revealed.
• Counterintuitive solution: always switch for a higher probability of winning.

Tragedy of the Commons

• Concept that shared resources may be overused and destroyed when freely accessible to all.

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