n. in philosophy, refers to the concept of choice, opportunity, and free will. Mostly, it relates to a paradox wherein an ass equally hungry and thirsty at the same time starves to death after failing to choose between two equidistant haystacks. Named after French philosopher Jean Buridan (1300-1358).
BURIDAN’S ASS: “Buridan’s ass illustrates how difficult and impractical it can be to choose between two equally-desirable alternatives.”