What is defined as a situation that requires a person to decide between two equally attractive or unattractive alternatives?

A dilemma is a situation in which an individual faces a choice between two options that are both difficult or undesirable to pick from, creating a sense of conflict. This term is often used in literature to highlight a character's struggle to make a decision that weighs equally appealing or repellent forces against one another. The essence of a dilemma lies in the pressure it places on an individual, forcing them to navigate through the challenges posed by the alternatives.

A paradox typically involves a statement that seems contradictory or impossible but may reveal a deeper truth, which differs significantly from the decision-making focus of a dilemma. Conflict refers to a broader struggle that can arise from opposing forces, whether internal or external, and does not meet the specific criteria of equally tough choices. A conundrum, while it can also denote a puzzling situation, is often described as a confusing problem or riddle that may not necessarily involve a choice between two equally-weighted options. Thus, a dilemma specifically captures the tension of making a choice where the outcomes are equally compelling or unappealing, making it the correct term in this context.