Physics education research, electronic materials, and the musings of Christopher Moore, Ph.D.
Physics education research, electronic materials, and the musings of Christopher Moore, Ph.D.
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Two people are caught committing a crime. They are questioned seperately and they could either confess or keep quiet. Each is told that if they confessed, and the other person didn't they could go free. If they didn't confess, and the other person did, they would get 10 years in prison. If they both confessed, they would both get 2 years in prison. If neither of them confessed, they would get 5 years in prison.
If you were one on the prisoner, what would you do?
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Confess. I then either go free or serve 2 years.
If I didn't confess, then I would either get 5 or 10 years, both of which are worse than the worst punishment for confessing.
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Woah, wait a minute, That seems kinda..... odd. If they are caught in the act of a crime, then there would be no need for a confession. Depending on how they were caught, by credible eyewitness or video survelliance, there would be evidence proving beyond a reasonable doubt that they are guilty. They have the right to remain silent. No confession would be required. The overwhelming evidence would be enough to convince a jury of their peers of their guilt. And also, the amount of jailtime would not be decided by their confessions just like that, they would still need to be convicted and sentenced by a court of law. It also depends on the magnitude of their crimes. Would you lock someone up for ten years because of petty theft?
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I don't think you can go for free.
If the other guy is intelligent, he too will confess so that
both of us can rot in prison for two years.
