The Prisoner's Dilemma

Here's an interesting dilemma I learned about recently.

Two prisoners are detained for a crime. Let's call them Arthur and Ben.
Both men are given a proposition; they could go free if they come forward, but the other person will get an extended sentence. About 15 years.
However, this is only true if only one of them goes forward.
If they both come forward, they will both get 7 years.
If neither come forward, they will both get 10 years.
Neither party knows if the other one will come forward.
Arthur now has to consider whether to come forward or stay quiet.
If Arthur comes forward, and Ben stays quiet, then Arthur gets to go free and Ben gets 15 years.
If Arthur stays quiet, and Ben comes forward, Ben goes free, but Arthur gets 15 years.
If Arthur comes forward, but so does Ben, then they both get 7 years.
If Arthur stays quiet, and so does Ben, they will both get 10 years.
Arthur wants to do what would be the best for both of them.
If Arthur goes free, then he may feel guilty for ratting out on Ben and getting him a decade and a half in prison.
If Ben goes free, now Arthur spends a large portion of his life stuck in a cell.
If both men speak, they both get prison time, but it's the shortest time possible.
If both men stay quiet, they both get the second-longest time of a full decade.
What should Arthur do? No matter what he does, there are some problems.
What would you guys do if you were Arthur? Remember, he can't talk or plan with Ben.


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Gluma

Gluma's profile picture

I feel like the only answer here would be to confess :0

If you stay quiet, you either get 10 or 15 years. If you confess, you either get 7 or no years at all. Either way, confessing would give you fewer years than staying quiet would


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That is very insightful. I would probably speak as well.

by Cassini; ; Report