irresolution

Irrresolution is the quality or state of being irresolute, characterized by indecision, hesitation, or uncertainty that prevents a firm conclusion or action. The term is used across disciplines to describe a decision state in which options are multiple, information incomplete, or values conflicting.

Etymology: from prefix ir- meaning not, attached to resolution; the word is a neologism rather than a standard lexeme, and appears in philosophical, literary, and psychological writing to capture the sense of ongoing doubt rather than a single decisive moment.

In philosophy and ethics, irrresolution denotes deliberation without final determination or situations where moral questions resist resolution due to competing duties, uncertain consequences, or ambiguous principles. It can be framed as a methodological stance favoring continued inquiry over premature verdicts.

In literature, irresolution often serves as a narrative device reflecting internal conflict or ambiguity. Characters hesitate, question their motives, or delay action, underscoring themes of uncertainty, fate, or the limits of knowledge.

In psychology and decision science, irrresolution relates to indecision, tolerance of ambiguity, and rumination. It can be linked to anxiety or information overload; researchers view it as a descriptive label rather than a formal diagnosis, studied alongside ambivalence and procrastination.

Opinions vary: some regard irrresolution as a healthy space for reflection and ethical consideration, others see it as paralyzing. The term remains relatively informal and context-dependent, with usage that spans critical theory, narrative analysis, and cognitive research.