Faustian dilemma

English

Noun

Faustian dilemma (plural Faustian dilemmas)

1. (idiomatic) Having to choose between an option that promises short-term gain with foreseeable adverse long-term consequences, and an alternative option with no short-term gain and possibly even short-term suffering, but promising an eventually better future than the first option.
   • 2011 April 6, Ron Ashkenas, “Sustainability’s Faustian Dilemma”, in Harvard Business Review‎^[1]:

     I find that many people see sustainability as a version of a Faustian dilemma; they often knowingly make choices that have immediate personal benefits, but in the long run are disastrous for all of us.

See also

• Faustian bargain