Walton, G. L. (1908). The doubting folly. In G. L. Walton, Why worry? (pp. 82-100). Philadelphia, PA, US: J B Lippincott Company.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/13647-003
This chapter focuses on "doubting folly," a case in which a victim can no longer concentrate his thought on the simplest proposition outside the narrow circle to which his doubts restrict him. These doubts lead to chronic indecision. The doubt and the indecision result directly from over-conscientiousness. It is because of an undue anxiety to do the right thing, even in trivial matters, that the doubter ponders indefinitely over the proper sequence of two equally important (or unimportant) tasks. After considering the most obvious and simple among the evidences of doubting folly, the author considers the more obstinate tendency of the doubter to interminably argue over the simplest proposition. A word is offered regarding the anthropological status of the doubting folly and allied mental states. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)