A catch-22 is not a situation in which both choices lead to undesirable outcomes. That is called a lose-lose or no-win situation. A catch-22 situation CAN be a lose-lose, but it could also be a win-win or win-lose.
A catch-22 situation is one in which the solution is impossible given the cyclic nature of the premises.
The logic is as follows:
1. If X, then Y and Z
2. If Y, then not Z
3. Not Y or not Z
4. Not Y and Z
5. Therefore, not X.
Many people use this logical terminology as commonplace vernacular while using it incorrectly and not understanding the origin.
A catch-22 situation is one in which the solution is impossible given the cyclic nature of the premises.
The logic is as follows:
1. If X, then Y and Z
2. If Y, then not Z
3. Not Y or not Z
4. Not Y and Z
5. Therefore, not X.
Many people use this logical terminology as commonplace vernacular while using it incorrectly and not understanding the origin.
1. If a person is excused from flying, that must be because he is both insane and requests an evaluation.
2. If a person is insane (I), he should not realize that he is, and would have no reason to request an evaluation.
3. Since an insane person would not request an evaluation, it follows that all people must either not be insane, or not request an evaluation.
4. Since all people must either not be insane, or not request an evaluation, it follows that no person is both insane and requests an evaluation.
5. Since a person may be excused from flying only if he is both insane and requests an evaluation, but no person can be both insane and request an evaluation, it (therefore) follows that no person can be excused from flying.
This is the logical argument and substituted form of a Catch-22.
2. If a person is insane (I), he should not realize that he is, and would have no reason to request an evaluation.
3. Since an insane person would not request an evaluation, it follows that all people must either not be insane, or not request an evaluation.
4. Since all people must either not be insane, or not request an evaluation, it follows that no person is both insane and requests an evaluation.
5. Since a person may be excused from flying only if he is both insane and requests an evaluation, but no person can be both insane and request an evaluation, it (therefore) follows that no person can be excused from flying.
This is the logical argument and substituted form of a Catch-22.
by LuxAndUmbra March 1, 2011
by AndrewFromSouthJersey November 30, 2004
A situation in which a desired outcome or solution is impossible to attain because of a set of inherently illogical rules
The following is a rather common Catch 22,
Conservatives usually claim one of two things about liberals:
1) They're so open-minded their brains have fallen out
2) They're close-minded hypocrites who are only tolerant of opinions they agree with.
Clearly, these two points of view cannot be reconciled. Therefore I've dubbed it the Anti-Liberal Catch-22.
I mean, which one is it then? Overly open minded idiots or closed-minded hypocrites?
Make up your minds, conservatives!
Conservatives usually claim one of two things about liberals:
1) They're so open-minded their brains have fallen out
2) They're close-minded hypocrites who are only tolerant of opinions they agree with.
Clearly, these two points of view cannot be reconciled. Therefore I've dubbed it the Anti-Liberal Catch-22.
I mean, which one is it then? Overly open minded idiots or closed-minded hypocrites?
Make up your minds, conservatives!
by Submitters of Words June 23, 2011
Guy1: I want to get out of this what do i need to do?
Guy2: You have to be mentally ill.
Guy1: I'm mentally ill, take me off!
Guy2: Your clearly not because you want off.
Guy1: Well Guy3 is clearly mentally ill, will you take him off?
Guy2: Yep but he has to ask me but that would mean that he's not mentally ill.
Guy1: Its a Catch 22!
Guy2: Exactly.
Guy2: You have to be mentally ill.
Guy1: I'm mentally ill, take me off!
Guy2: Your clearly not because you want off.
Guy1: Well Guy3 is clearly mentally ill, will you take him off?
Guy2: Yep but he has to ask me but that would mean that he's not mentally ill.
Guy1: Its a Catch 22!
Guy2: Exactly.
by V The Trap November 11, 2020
A pretty good ska band back in 1998. Then guitarist/singer Tomas Kalnoky and bassist Josh Ansley and trumpeter/trombonist Jamie Egan left to start another band called Streetlight Manifesto, who are now awesome. Catch 22, on the other hand, shifted new band members and now sucks.
by Max January 23, 2004
by Shawn B. June 15, 2003
The only way to be dismissed from the military is to be crazy and to ask to be dismissed. Catch-22 states that if you ask to be dismissed from the military, you are not crazy. Catch-22 meant so much more than that, it was the excuse used for every insane order that the officers would give to the troops, was used for every justification. The best definition of Catch-22 is what the old women told Yossarian when he returned to Italy to search for Nately's whore. She told him MPs had come into the whorehouse and arrested everyone, and as justification they had used Catch-22. She then said "Catch-22 means they are allowed to do anything that you can't stop them from doing." There are not 21 other catches, Catch-22 is the only catch that is ever needed.
There was only one catch and that was Catch-22, which specified that a concern for one's own safety in the face of dangers that were real and immediate was the process of a rational mind... If he flew them he was crazy and didn't have to; but if he didn't want to he was sane and had to.
by anon November 5, 2004