Such Confusion...

Okay, I was kind of confused about something. Thinking about so many things all at the same time but not coming to any conclusion. I decided to plug in my iPod to give some peace to my mind but it didn’t work. So, as per my habit I opened up Google and typed the word stating my state of mind at that moment and I type “Dilemma”. I got so many results and I chose Wikipedia.

Wikipedia successfully describes the meaning of the word and I could relate to my state of mind accurately but the second section of the page left me zapped. It further put me into confusion by representing the word by some mathematical equations, which I had hated throughout my life.

Have a look at what Wikipedia says about Dilemma and find out its Use in logic section…

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dilemma

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A dilemma (Greek: δί-λημμα "double proposition") is a problem offering at least two possibilities, neither of which is practically acceptable. One in this position has been traditionally described as "being on the horns of a dilemma", neither horn being comfortable, "between Scylla and Charybdis"; or "being between a rock and a hard place", since both objects or metaphorical choices are rough.

This is sometimes more colorfully described as "Finding oneself impaled upon the horns of a dilemma", referring to the sharp points of a bull's horns, equally uncomfortable (and dangerous).

The dilemma is sometimes used as a rhetorical device, in the form "you must accept either A, or B"; here A and B would be propositions each leading to some further conclusion. Applied incorrectly, it constitutes a false dichotomy, a fallacy.

The erroneous spelling dilemna is often seen in common usage. It appears to have been taught in many areas of the United States and all over the world, including (but not limited to) France, London, Yorkshire, Jamaica and Australia.^[1][2][3]. There is no prima facie reason for this substitution error and there is no erroneous parallel to be found with the word lemma, from which dilemma derives.

[edit] Use in logic

In formal logic, the definition of a dilemma differs markedly from everyday usage. Two options are still present, but choosing between them is immaterial because they both imply the same conclusion. Symbolically expressed thus:

Which can be translated informally as "one (or both) of A or B is known to be true, but they both imply C, so regardless of the truth values of A and B we can conclude C."

Horned dilemmas can present more than two choices. The number of choices of Horned dilemmas can be used in their alternative names, such as two-pronged (two-horned) or dilemma proper , or three-pronged (three-horned) or trilemma, and so on.

Constructive dilemmas--

1. (If X, then Y) and (If W, then Z).

2. X or W.

3. Therefore, Y or Z.

4. All are possible.

Destructive dilemmas--

1. (If X, then Y) and (If W, then Z).

2. Not Y or not Z.

3. Therefore, not X or not W.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

?????

What was that all about???