trilemma
[trahy-lem-uh]
- a situation, analogous to a dilemma, in which there are three almost equally undesirable alternatives: His trilemma consisted in not knowing whether to acknowledge receipt, deny it, or simply leave.
- Logic. a form of argument in which three choices are presented, each of which is indicated to have consequences that may be unfavorable.
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Origin of trilemma
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for trilemma
Historical Examples
But the thing is a trilemma, and the third horn, on which I elect to be placed, is surmounted by a doubly-stuffed seat.
A Budget of Paradoxes, Volume II (of II)Augustus de Morgan
Our inevitable outlook was a trilemma—either enlarged receipts, or retrenchment, or debt.
Trilemma, trī-lem′a, n. a dilemmatic syllogism with three alternative propositions.
But the dilemma (whose unfortunate inspiration he owes to Kant) does not hold, it is a case of a trilemma.
Historical materialism and the economics of Karl MarxBenedetto Croce
trilemma
- a quandary posed by three alternative courses of action
- an argument one of the premises of which is the disjunction of three statements from each of which the same conclusion is derived
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Word Origin
C17: formed on the model of dilemma, from tri- + Greek lēmma assumption
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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