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A catch-22 is a type of self contradictory rule and logical paradox. The term was first defined in the 1953 novel Catch 22 by Joseph Heller. It is a reference to a fictional military rule that states that you can apply for a medical discharge due to insanity but that the act of applying proves that you're sane. The term catch-22 has become associated with paradoxical rules that are difficult to challenge. Specifically, situations in which to fight a rule is to accept it.
ExamplesCatch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.
~ Catch-22, Joseph Heller Catch-22. Anyone who wants to get out of combat duty isn't really crazy.
~ Catch-22, Joseph Heller "They don't have to show us Catch-22," the old woman answered. "The law says they don't have to."
"What law says they don't have to?"
"Catch-22."
~ Catch-22, Joseph Heller Catch-22 can also be found in real life situations such as the requirement to have work experience before you can get a job.|
Type | Logical Paradox | Definition (1) | A self contradictory rule. | Definition (2) | A rule that is a logical paradox because to fight it is to accept it. | Definition (3) | A brilliantly absurd bureaucratic rule or procedure. | Related Concepts | |
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