Eli5: Why is Prisoners Dilemma considered a Dilemma?

Question

Eli5: Why is Prisoners Dilemma considered a Dilemma?

In: 46

Answer 1

The dilemma comes from the way the game is structured so that each player making the best move for themselves results in both of them losing.

The best result is for both players to stay silent, but because of how expected value works, that outcome is impossible since the best move for each individual player is to snitch. That’s the “dilemma”. You’re forced to “lose” the game because it’s the only correct move to make.