Buridan's Donkey

Buridan’s donkey is a paradox, named after the14th-century French philosopher Jean Buridan.

It refers to a situation wherein a donkey, equally hungry and thirsty, is placed precisely midway between a hay of stack and a pail of water.

Unable to choose between the two, the donkey ultimately dies of both hunger and thirst.

Unable to choose? Confused? Does that sound familiar?

Yes. All of us have been a ‘donkey’ at some point in our lives.

What’s the way out then so that you don’t die from starvation or thirst?

In a situation like the one the Buridan’s donkey faced, what will you do? Replace hay by your favourite food!

You may simply first drink the water without giving a thought to the food at all, then eat the food. Or vice-versa.

And the reason you can do it with so much ease is because you are confident that while you are drinking the water, the food will not disappear. Or vice-versa.

You need to have the same confidence when presented with hundreds of opportunities that start pulling you in all directions.

Pursue one opportunity, focus on it, without getting distracted. For months or years. Have the confidence that other opportunities will be there.

Once done, then pursue another opportunity. Then, another. And then, another…

Don’t worry, you will live long enough to pursue as many opportunities as you want.

Because before long, you will find the passion of your life. After which, you will anyway stop chasing!

Signing Off,

Confidently Confused

Aarti & Ashutosh

PS. We are running a program The Climator League, wherein we engage with kids (Grade 6-12) to build their climate awareness and support them come up with climate solutions for their communities. We have opened applications for our next cohort. If you know any interested kid, please forward the link to their parents.