The "dilemma" in the prisoner's dilemma is that
A) one of the players cannot get the best outcome.
B) both players would be better off by cooperating, but not cooperating is a dominant strategy.
C) both players would be better off by not cooperating, but cooperating is a dominant strategy.
D) the player with first-mover advantage always gets the better outcome.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The dilemma in the prisoner's dilemma arises because while both players would collectively benefit from cooperation, the dominant strategy for each, when acting independently and without communication, is to defect (not cooperate), leading to a worse outcome for both.

The "Dilemma" in the Prisoner's Dilemma Is That