Are You Rational?

Question

I had this question asked in my class.

If you and a good friend planned a crime. Then were arrested as suspects. The police separated you two and questioned both of you.They gave you these choices:

1. If you confess and your friend confesses - you both get 3 years of prison.

2. If you confess but your friend doesn't - you're free and he gets 4 years of prison.

3. if you don't confess but your friend does - you get 4 years of prison and your friend goes free.

4. if you don't confess and your friend doesn't confess - you both get 1 year of prison.

Which one would you pick?

Assuming you and your friend were rational enough to agree to neither confess if you two got caught? (since that would be less jail time for both of you)

Keep in mind that both of you are in separate rooms and don't know if the other person did indeed confess or not.

Remember, be rational.

Answer 1

I would confess.

I think that is the safest option.

Answer 2

If they can't scare me into confessing ... I will assume that my friend will not be scared into confessing . We will have discussed this before committing the crime . So , we will both do 1 year in prison ...or , he'll confess and s***w me ... in which case as a criminal with my life now ruined , I will rationally have to seek revenge ..