3 Ideas in 2 Minutes on Paradoxical Situations
Catch-22, Kafka Trap & Fredkin’s Paradox
I. Catch-22
A Catch-22 is a paradoxical situation with no escape route thanks to a cunning set of rules. It has its origins in Joseph Heller’s novel of the same name. A World War II bomber crew faces a series of potential suicide missions but is unable to opt out:
There was only one catch and that was Catch-22, which specified that a concern for one's safety in the face of dangers that were real and immediate was the process of a rational mind. Orr was crazy and could be grounded. All he had to do was ask; and as soon as he did, he would no longer be crazy and would have to fly more missions.
Orr would be crazy to fly more missions and sane if he didn't, but if he was sane he had to fly them. If he flew them he was crazy and didn't have to; but if he didn't want to he was sane and had to. Yossarian was moved very deeply by the absolute simplicity of this clause of Catch-22 and let out a respectful whistle.
'That's some catch, that Catch-22,' he observed.
'It's the best there is,’ Doc Daneeka agreed.'
—Joseph Heller, Catch-22
Today, Catch-22 is generally applied to any no-win situation. When there's only one solution to a problem. But this solution won't work because of a rule integral to the problem itself. Makes sense?
II. Kafka Trap
Kafka Traps are fallacies in which your denial of an accusation is taken as evidence of your guilt. The term was inspired by Franz Kafka's novel The Trial. In the book, Josef K. is arrested by an unknown authority. His alleged crime is never disclosed to him or the reader. Here's Josef stepping into the Kafka Trap:
"But I’m not guilty," said K. "there’s been a mistake. How is it even possible for someone to be guilty? We’re all human beings here, one like the other."
"That is true," said the priest, "but that is how the guilty speak."
―Franz Kafka, The Trial
III. Fredkin’s Paradox
According to Fredkin’s Paradox, we tend to spend the most time ruminating about the least important decisions. Or in the words of its inventor:
The more equally attractive two alternatives seem, the harder it can be to choose between them — no matter that, to the same degree, the choice can only matter less.
―Edward Fredkin
Choosing between a 5-course menu and sushi during your 30-minute lunch break is easy. But how about deciding between sushi with Western Australian salmon and salmon caught off the coast of Tasmania? Does it really matter all that much? Possibly. 🐘
Have a great week,
Chris
themindcollection.com
P.S.: My article about Loki’s Wager: How to Defeat the Devil in the Detail is now available for free on the blog.