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Revision as of 09:29, 8 June 2002 by Tarquin (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Catch-22 is a novel by Joseph Heller about the madness of war. Specifically, it follows a number of American soldiers during World War II.
Within the book, catch-22 is the circular logic that prevents anyone from being invalided out of the military:
- one can only be excused from flying bombing missions on the grounds of insanity
- one must ask to be considered.
However, should someone ask, it must be because he is in fear for his life This is proof of sanity, and therefore he is obliged to continue flying missions.
If someone is truly insane, he doesn't ask, and therefore continues flying missions, even though technically he doesn't have to.
The phrase has become common to refer to any similar self-referential policy.