Comments on: The Linda Problem

By: Tim

Tim — Sun, 29 Jan 2023 21:47:26 +0000

Depending on your browser and add-ins, T&K’s choices of the most probable answers may not appear. They are
1. Linda is a bank teller.
2. Linda is a bank teller and is active in the feminist movement.

By: vinod sreedharan

vinod sreedharan — Thu, 05 May 2022 00:29:59 +0000

Bank teller has no place in the context, I feel

By: William Rowe, Sr., Ph.D., M.D. [aka, “Doc”]

William Rowe, Sr., Ph.D., M.D. [aka, “Doc”] — Mon, 28 Jun 2021 17:10:46 +0000

Very interesting article—I had never heard of the “conjunction fallacy” (let alone the “Linda Problem”) until reading the above example/explanation. In the spirit of Mark’s comment, I’d like to add my own bit of humor to the discussion.

Imagine a similar drawing to the one above, although this time Linda is working in an upscale coffee shop. The description reads:

“Linda is 31 years old, single, outspoken, and very bright. She has a Ph.D. in philosophical linguistics. As a student, she was deeply concerned with issues of discrimination and social justice, and also participated in anti-nuclear demonstrations.”

The two “Linda Problem” statements could be:

1. Linda is a coffee barista.
2. Linda is a coffee barista and is currently taking an antidepressant.

—OR—

1. Linda is a coffee barista.
2. Linda is a coffee barista.

By: Mark

Mark — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 08:23:03 +0000

Indeed a fallacy. One coulds have asked if she 1. is a woman, or 2. a feminist; adding a bit of humor to it.