dilemma etymology

Etymology:

• From Latin "dilemma," from Greek "dílēmma," meaning "double proposition" or "argument with two possible conclusions."
• Derived from "di-" (two) and "lēmmata" (assumptions or premises).

Meaning:

A dilemma is a situation in which a person faces two equally undesirable choices.

Origin:

The term "dilemma" originated in Greek philosophical and rhetorical discourse during the Hellenistic period (c. 3rd century BC). It was used in the context of logical reasoning and argumentation, where authors would present an opponent with two seemingly contradictory propositions that they were forced to accept. For example, the famous "Crocodile Dilemma" attributed to the sophist Protagoras:

"A crocodile seizes a man's child and promises to return it if the man can correctly predict what it will do. If he predicts the crocodile will return the child, the crocodile will eat it instead. If he predicts the crocodile will eat it, the crocodile will return it. What should the man predict?"

The dilemma illustrates the logical difficulty of presenting a definitive answer to a paradoxical question. It has since become a common term in English and other languages to describe situations where individuals face equally unsatisfying or difficult choices.

dilemma relate terms

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