What is the prisoners' dilemma?

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The prisoners' dilemma is a classic example of a game in which players acting in rational self-interest end up worse off than if they had cooperated. In this game, two prisoners are given the option to confess to a crime or remain silent. If both remain silent, they each get a light sentence. If one confesses and the other remains silent, the confessor goes free and the other gets a heavy sentence. If both confess, they each get a moderate sentence. The rational choice for each prisoner is to confess, but the outcome with both confessing is worse than if both had remained silent. Therefore, the game demonstrates how individual rationality can lead to a collectively irrational outcome.

What Is the Prisoners' Dilemma