Essay

Evaluating the 'Mutual Denial' Outcome in a Prisoner's Dilemma

Consider a situation where two partners in a crime are held in separate rooms and cannot communicate. They are each offered a deal. The possible outcomes, in years of prison time, are as follows:

  • If you accuse your partner and they deny, you go free (0 years) and they get 10 years.
  • If you both accuse each other, you both get 5 years.
  • If you both deny, you both get 1 year.
  • If you deny and your partner accuses you, you get 10 years and they go free (0 years).

The outcome where both partners deny results in the lowest total prison time for the pair (2 years total). In a short essay, evaluate the stability of this 'mutual denial' outcome. From the perspective of a single, self-interested partner, is it the most rational choice to make? Justify your reasoning by comparing the potential outcomes of choosing 'Deny' versus 'Accuse'.

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Updated 2025-08-07

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