Buridan's Donkey

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Cover art generated by Dall-e using the prompt: donkey standing between hay and a trough of water

Buridan’s Donkey is a tale about a donkey standing halfway between a pile of hay and a bucket of water.

The donkey is thirsty and hungry so it spends a moment deciding whether to go for the water or the food.

The debate rages in the donkey’s mind. Back and forth it goes.

The seconds turn into minutes. The minutes into hours. The hours into days.

The water begins to dry in the sun and the hay begins to wilt.

Still, the donkey cannot decide.

Unable to decide, the donkey collapses and dies.