Hedgehog’s Dilemma

A metaphor describing a situation in which two or more individuals share the intention to become closer to one another for a common goal but they must remain apart for reasons they cant avoid, what results is cautious behavior and weak relationships.

In the metaphor, the hedgehogs want to become closer to share heat during cold weather, but they can’t as they would hurt one another with their spines.

Term coined by Arthur Schopenhauer