the Marquis de Condorcet
Vote | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
Derek | Dr. Pepper | Coke | Pepsi |
Jac | Coke | Pepsi | Dr. Pepper |
Patrick | Pepsi | Dr. Pepper | Coke |
Let's say Derek, Jac, and Patrick are deciding on which drink they should buy. If the choice is between Dr. Pepper and Coke, they pick Dr. Pepper 2 to 1. If the choice is between Coke and Pepsi, they pick Coke 2 to 1. So they like Dr. Pepper better than Coke and Coke better than Pepsi. Does it follow that they like Dr. Pepper better than Pepsi? No! They prefer Pepsi to Dr. Pepper 2 to 1! This apparent paradox was first noted by the Marquis de Condorcet in the 18th century, and it is named the Condorcet Paradox in his honor. |
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derek.bruff@vanderbilt.edu
Last Updated
February 20, 2002