Some Decision Making Paradoxes

Exploring Paradoxes

1) Hedgehog's Paradox

The challenge of human intimacy.

A group of hedgehogs huddle for warmth but must keep distance to avoid hurting each other with their spines.

2) Inventor's Paradox

Solving a more general problem is often easier than solving a specific one.

Proving a mathematical theorem for all numbers can be simpler than proving it for a specific case.

3) Newcomb's Paradox

A conflict between two principles of rational decision-making.

Choosing between one opaque box or two boxes, where the contents depend on a predictor's forecast of your choice.

4) Paradox of Tolerance

Unlimited tolerance may lead to the extinction of tolerance.

A tolerant society allowing intolerant ideologies to spread, potentially leading to the destruction of tolerance itself.

5) Fredkin's Paradox

The more similar two options are, the more time and energy we spend deciding between them.

Spending more time choosing between two nearly identical job offers than between vastly different ones.

6) Abilene Paradox

A group collectively decides on a course of action contrary to the preferences of its individual members.

A family takes a long, hot car trip to Abilene when none of them actually wanted to go.

7) Morton's Paradox

A false dilemma where contradictory observations lead to the same conclusion.

A tax collector argues that both frugal and extravagant people can afford to pay taxes, as the frugal have savings and the extravagant clearly have money to spare.

8) Buridan's Ass

Paralysis in decision-making when faced with two equally appealing options.

A donkey starving to death between two equally distant and appealing piles of hay.

9) Ells berg Paradox

People prefer known probabilities over unknown ones, even if the known probability is lower.

Choosing a bet with known odds over one with ambiguous odds, even if the latter might be more favorable.

10) Decision-making Paradox

Different decision-making methods yield different results for the same problem and data.

Using various MCDM methods to solve the same problem, each suggesting a different optimal solution.

11) Willpower Paradox

Asking yourself if you can do something is more effective than telling yourself you can.

Asking "Can I solve this puzzle?" leads to better performance than stating "I can solve this puzzle".

12) Motivation Crowding Theory

External rewards can undermine intrinsic motivation.

A child losing interest in reading once parents start offering money for completed books.

13) Parrondo's Paradox

Combining two losing strategies can create a winning strategy.

Alternating between two unfavorable gambling games to produce an overall gain.

14) Prevention Paradox

Preventive measures benefiting populations may offer little benefit to most individuals.

Widespread use of seatbelts significantly reduces traffic fatalities, but most individuals never experience a life-saving event.

15) Preparedness Paradox

Effective preparation for disasters can make them seem less severe or unnecessary in hindsight.

A community's extensive flood preparations leading to minimal damage, causing people to question the need for such measures.

16) Transparency Paradox

The counterproductive outcome where increased organizational transparency intended to foster accountability or efficiency instead incentivizes concealment of information or stifles innovation

Factory workers under strict surveillance hid workflow optimizations from managers to avoid scrutiny, undermining the very improvements transparency initiatives aimed to achieve.