Self-defeating prophecy
Encyclopedia
A self-defeating prophecy is the complementary opposite of a self-fulfilling prophecy
: a prediction that prevents what it predicts from happening. This is also known as the "prophet's dilemma".
A self-defeating prophecy can be the result of rebellion
to the prediction. If the audience of a prediction has an interest in seeing it falsified, and its fulfillment depends on their actions or inaction, their actions upon hearing it will make the prediction less plausible. If a prediction is made with this outcome specifically in mind, it is commonly referred to as reverse psychology
. Also, when working to make a premonition come true, one can inadvertently change the circumstances so much that the prophecy cannot come true.
It is important to distinguish a self-defeating prophecy from a self-fulfilling prophecy that predicts a negative outcome. If a prophecy of a negative outcome is made, and that negative outcome is achieved as a result of positive feedback
, then it is a self-fulfilling prophecy. For example, if a group of people decide they will not be able to achieve a goal and stop working towards the goal as a result, their prophecy was self-fulfilling. Likewise, if a prediction of a negative outcome is made, but the outcome is positive because of negative feedback
resulting from the rebellion, then that is a self-defeating prophecy.
Self-fulfilling prophecy
A self-fulfilling prophecy is a prediction that directly or indirectly causes itself to become true, by the very terms of the prophecy itself, due to positive feedback between belief and behavior. Although examples of such prophecies can be found in literature as far back as ancient Greece and...
: a prediction that prevents what it predicts from happening. This is also known as the "prophet's dilemma".
A self-defeating prophecy can be the result of rebellion
Rebellion
Rebellion, uprising or insurrection, is a refusal of obedience or order. It may, therefore, be seen as encompassing a range of behaviors aimed at destroying or replacing an established authority such as a government or a head of state...
to the prediction. If the audience of a prediction has an interest in seeing it falsified, and its fulfillment depends on their actions or inaction, their actions upon hearing it will make the prediction less plausible. If a prediction is made with this outcome specifically in mind, it is commonly referred to as reverse psychology
Reverse psychology
Reverse psychology is a technique involving the advocacy of a belief or behavior that is opposite to the one desired, with the expectation that this approach will encourage the subject of the persuasion to do what actually is desired: the opposite of what is suggested...
. Also, when working to make a premonition come true, one can inadvertently change the circumstances so much that the prophecy cannot come true.
It is important to distinguish a self-defeating prophecy from a self-fulfilling prophecy that predicts a negative outcome. If a prophecy of a negative outcome is made, and that negative outcome is achieved as a result of positive feedback
Positive feedback
Positive feedback is a process in which the effects of a small disturbance on a system include an increase in the magnitude of the perturbation. That is, A produces more of B which in turn produces more of A. In contrast, a system that responds to a perturbation in a way that reduces its effect is...
, then it is a self-fulfilling prophecy. For example, if a group of people decide they will not be able to achieve a goal and stop working towards the goal as a result, their prophecy was self-fulfilling. Likewise, if a prediction of a negative outcome is made, but the outcome is positive because of negative feedback
Negative feedback
Negative feedback occurs when the output of a system acts to oppose changes to the input of the system, with the result that the changes are attenuated. If the overall feedback of the system is negative, then the system will tend to be stable.- Overview :...
resulting from the rebellion, then that is a self-defeating prophecy.
Examples
- The Year 2000 problemYear 2000 problemThe Year 2000 problem was a problem for both digital and non-digital documentation and data storage situations which resulted from the practice of abbreviating a four-digit year to two digits.In computer programs, the practice of representing the year with two...
was an example of a self-defeating prophecy, in that fear of massive technology failures caused by clocks "rolling over" encouraged the very changes needed to avoid those failures. Pre-announcing products in a way that discourages current sales (the Osborne effectOsborne effectThe Osborne effect is a term referring to the unintended consequence of the announcement of a future product ahead of its availability and its impact upon the sales of the current product....
) is also an example of a self-defeating prophecy.
- The film The MatrixThe MatrixThe Matrix is a 1999 science fiction-action film written and directed by Larry and Andy Wachowski, starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano, and Hugo Weaving...
also incorporates a self-defeating prophecy. When Neo is taken to the Oracle, she tells him that he's not "the One". She then goes on to tell him that Morpheus believes so blindly that Neo is "the One", that he will risk his life to save him. Therefore, Neo eventually will have to make a choice between his own life, and Morpheus'. Later on, when he is faced with Morpheus' imminent death, Neo makes the choice to save Morpheus, believing that if he himself dies it won't matter, because he is not "the One". Neo manages to save Morpheus without dying himself, contrary to the Oracle's prediction. Seeing that Neo is confused by this, Morpheus explains, "She [the Oracle] told you exactly what you needed to hear. That's all." Neo then discovers that he is in fact "the One". If the Oracle had told Neo earlier that he was "the One", he might not have been willing to risk his own life for Morpheus'.