← Famous thought dilemmas

Dilemma 8 of 10

The Prisoner’s Dilemma

Two suspects are interrogated separately. If both stay silent, they go free. If one betrays the other, he goes free while the other suffers. But if both betray, both get punished. What should they do?

Imagine

You trust someone, but now your future depends on their silence.

Origin

Developed by Merrill Flood and Melvin Dresher in the 1950s; foundational in game theory.

Ask yourself

Is mutual trust stronger than self-preservation?

Only you can see this. It stays in this browser and is never sent to us.

Show all ten dilemmas
  1. 01The Trolley ProblemDoes saving more lives outweigh taking a life through your action?→
  2. 02The Experience MachineWould you trade truth for the feeling of joy?→
  3. 03The Ship of TheseusWhat makes you you — the parts, or the continuity?→
  4. 04The Heinz DilemmaDoes morality bend for love — or for survival?→
  5. 05Buridan’s AssCan indecision itself be a dangerous decision?→
  6. 06The Bystander EffectWhat makes someone take the first step to help?→
  7. 07The Omelas DilemmaCan happiness be built on someone else’s suffering?→
  8. 08The Prisoner’s DilemmaIs mutual trust stronger than self-preservation?→
  9. 09Experience vs. MemoryDo we live for how things feel in the moment — or how we recall them?→
  10. 10The Lifeboat DilemmaWho decides who’s worth saving when not everyone can be?→