The "Trap" Escape Problem

If we are fortunate and introspective we can often identify intellectual/character flaws in our ways of thinking/moving about in the world that repeatedly lead us astray. Not too surprisingly for a research scientist like myself, in my case, one of these flaws is the tendency toward over analysis. I don't believe in black and white and I have never seen a binary choice I can't make trinary. On top of that I am extremely skeptical of just about everything and anything. Not only does this make me a a good researcher, it also makes me a very annoying person to be around at times. Moreover, it can lead to a sort of intellectual blockage where action grinds to a halt because the number/variety of choices available are just too high and making a selection among them becomes well nigh impossible. The dreaded and cliched 'paralysis by (over)analysis.'

One way we can think about a problem like this is to consider the tendency to over analysis as a sort of trap. One you are ensnared by said trap it is very, very difficult to extricate oneself. Since I am aware of this tendency, and do my best to avoid it, I am hyper vigilant and thus generally am aware when I have fallen victim again almost immediately. This awareness allows me to quickly recalibrate my actions and often, though not always, ensures a relatively speedy escape from the trap. As I thought about this some recently I was amazed at how just a little knowledge about my own current status with respect to the trap of over analysis allows me to so neatly avoid it or at least reduce the damage it does. Of course I could not leave it at that and began to wonder if the same might be true of an actual physical trap. For instance an elaborate prison or maze of some sort. Would knowledge of the fact that you were in a trap, (an actual, physical, real world trap, not a metaphorical trap like overanalysis), help at all in terms of ones ability to escape. Alternatively, might it actually make it more difficult to escape. For this particular thought experiment we need to set everything else as equal. In other words, for the same person, in the same trap, at the same time, under the exact same conditions of knowledge and understanding about everything else. In addition, we must posit that the trap is possible to escape either intentionally or unintentionally. For that totally hypothetical "split" person would their odds of escape increase or decrease with knowledge that they were in a trap? Ultimately it likely comes down to the nature of the trap and the personality traits of the person stuck in it, but I think it is safe to generalize some and below I describe my thinking behind the two options in play.

Knowledge that one is in a trap as aid in escape from said trap

For most people, knowing they were stuck in a trap would almost certainly function as a motivator for them to try and find an escape. It seem obvious to say that if one does not know the world they currently inhabit is nothing but an elaborate trap or maze they will simply keep doing what they always do and always have done. They will go about their merry way totally oblivious to the true nature of their current condition. To them, escape is not an option, since there is no knowledge that there is anything to escape from. Interesting how this sort of thinking leads one to the simulation hypothesis. If that hypothesis is true we are all living in a sort of trap. The entire universe being nothing but a computer generated illusion of sorts. For those with no knowledge of the simulated nature of reality, there would be no reason to escape the simulation and find the "real world." On the other hand, with knowledge that one is in a simulation, naturally comes the idea of escape. Clearly in a case like this knowledge is an aid in escape since escape is not an option even considered without it.

Knowledge one is in a trap will almost always serve as a motivation to find an escape.

This may or may not increase ones chances of finding an escape depending on the nature of the trap.

You can't find an escape if you are not looking for one and looking requires paying attention. Therefore it also is likely the case that

knowledge one is in a trap would increase a persons general awareness of their environment and the intensity of the observations they would make of that environment. This should increase their chances of finding an escape.

Once again we must stipulate that this would very much depend on the nature of the trap.

Knowing one is in trap is only the first step to escape. Escape might also require broad knowledge of other things. A person who was in a trap would likely seek to acquire additional knowledge that might be useful for escape. Therefore we can say that

knowledge one was in a trap should increase a persons general thirst for knowledge in other areas. It acts as a motivator to acquire additional knowledge.

This is a different form of motivation than simply the motivation to escape so I list it here as a distinct advantage.

Finally, escaping a trap is hard. It is especially hard if one is alone and/or distracted by conflicts. Knowledge one was in a trap should greatly dissuade a person from engaging in violence and to studiously avoid conflict. It should increase the likelihood that they would seek partnership and friendship with others. Therefore we can say.

knowledge one was in a trap should reduce ones propensity toward violence and conflict and increase ones propensity toward friendship and partnership. Once again the nature of the trap is critical here. If you are the only trapped than this advantage is moot.

All of the above would seem to be significant advantages when it comes to escaping a trap and therefore should greatly increase ones odds of escape. Now let's have a look at the opposing case.

Knowledge that one is in a trap as hindrance to escape from that trap

Learning that one was in a trap would certainly seem to be a stressful event for most. Many people do not react well to stressful situations and some might panic, lash out, fall into depression, or engage in any of a large number of other counterproductive activities and/or unhelpful (for escape) emotional states. Therefore we can say that

knowledge one is in a trap would likely serve as a major stressor and could trigger any number of escape unhelpful activities and/or emotional states.

If one suddenly discovered they were in a trap they would begin to wonder how long they had been in the trap. They might wonder how long had they not been in a trap before the time they found out they were? This sort of thinking can cause one to question the very foundations of their beliefs with respect to their knowledge of the external world. If I were wrong about not being in a trap what else might I have been/am still wrong about? Once again the outcome could be some very negative emotional states that would likely hinder ones ability to escape from the trap. After all, who has the time to worry about escape from a stupid trap when they are questioning the very foundations of their knowledge vis a vis the external world and their own existence in it. Therefore we can say that

knowledge one was in a trap could cause one to question their foundational beliefs with respect to the real world and their own existence it it. This sort of questioning could lead to significant negative emotional consequences.

It is interesting that the disadvantages of knowledge about being in a trap seem to be exclusively emotional/mental while at least some of the advantages seem to be a bit more on the practical side. Because of this I would have to give the nod to knowing one was in a trap as the winner over not knowing when it comes to usefulness in escaping the trap.