Duel

Despite the romanticism of dueling in some literature, dueling is an extremely dangerous practice, often resulting in the death of one or both participants.

Table of contents

1 History 2 Prominent duels 3 Opposition to dueling 4 Game-theoretic aspects of dueling 5 Replacements for dueling 5.1 References

History

Physical confrontations related to insults and social standing predate human society, but the formal concept of a duel, in Western society, developed out of medieval trial by combat. Most societies did not condemn dueling, and the victor of a duel was regarded not as a murderer but as a hero; his social status often increased. During the early Renaissance, dueling established the status of a respectable and accepted manner for gentlemen to resolve disputes.

Despite its respected status and frequent romanticization, the reality of dueling is that it upsets society by creating divisions. The Catholic Church and many political leaders usually denounced the practice throughout Europe's history, though some authorities tacitly allowed it, believing it to relieve long-standing familial and social tensions.

The first code duello, or "code of dueling", appeared in Renaissance Italy with the publication of the "Flos duellatorum" in 1410, it was followed by a series of increasingly complicated Italian manuals. The first formalized national code was France's , during the Renaissance. In 1777, Ireland developed a code duello, which was indeed the most influential in American dueling culture.

Prominent duels

To decline a challenge was often equated to defeat by forfeiture, and was sometimes even regarded as dishonorable. Prominent and famous individuals ran an especial risk of being challeneged for duels.

Among the most famous duels are the American Hamilton–Burr duel, in which notable Federalist Alexander Hamilton was fatally wounded, and the duel between Duke of Wellington and the 10th Earl of Winchilsea, wherein both participants intentionally missed the other.

(See also: List of famous duels)

Opposition to dueling

Dueling began to fall out of favor in the 18th century. Benjamin Franklin denounced the practice as uselessly violent, and George Washington encouraged his officers to refuse challenges during the American Revolutionary War; the death by dueling of officers would have threatened the success of the war effort.

Furthermore, dueling was often used as a facade for legalized murder. In 1806, Andrew Jackson—later to become a U.S. President—shot an opponent after the duel had technically ended. By the end of the 19th century, legalized dueling was almost extinct in most of the world. Some American states have laws which establish procedures for legal dueling, but it is unlikely that they would be upheld in court.

Game-theoretic aspects of dueling

Dueling is a scenario sometimes used in discussions of games and game theory.

One example is a dueling-type scenario with 3 participants, each with different levels of skill as a marksman. Shooter A has a 95% rate of accuracy, shooter B has 75%, and C has 5%. The shooters take positions on an equilateral triangle; each chooses a target and (if alive) fires one shot. The question is: Which participant is in the best position, assuming each shooter is rational and acts accordingly.

If the shots are fired simultaneously, it is best to be shooter A. Simultaneous shots mean that there is no survival-related advantage in targeting the more accurate shooter, since his shot will have already been fired by the time he is eliminated. Therefore, it is best to be A, since he has the least competent opposition.

If the shots are not to be fired simultaneously (as occurs in real life) it is best to be shooter C. Shooters A and B, operating rationally, will target the more competent opponent hoping to prevent said opponent's shot from ever being issued. This means that shooter C is in little danger of being killed himself.

Replacements for dueling

Dueling has been replaced, in modern times, with other sports and games that are generally much safer than dueling itself. On occasion, these sports occur with the honor and feud rhetoric associated with duels (see: grudge match) but normally they are pursued as recreation and carry little of the cultural weight associated with duels. Often, indeed, the participants of the mock duel will be acquaintances or friends outside of the "duel".

• Boxing, a sport wherein participants engage in a controlled fistfight, is believed to be a replacement for dueling developed by the English. As late as the 1960s, some U.S. municipalities encouraged adolescents, instead of fighting in private, to pursue their confrontations in a boxing ring.

• Fencing is a sport which simulates a swordfight, but with dull swords unlikely to cause bodily harm.

• is a card game that simulates a duel between two rival wizards.

• Martial arts are recreational sports derived, frequently, from more deadly combat practices.

• Some video games allow dueling-type scenarios.

• List of famous duels
• European dueling sword

Duel is also the name of a Steven Spielberg film. See: Duel (movie).

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