rssIn the past few years, I have pieced together a theory that has gotten
mixed reactions from my peers. Some say it is exactly correct, others
argue that it is not because they either do not understand it, or are
able to provide counter examples. I'm curious to see how it will hold
up on this academic website. It is as follows:
No one has ever made a wrong decision at the time the decision was made in regards to their interpretation of benefits/happiness. This is because of the mechanics of decision making:
1) Intake information
2) Learn of options based on information
3) Weigh the pros and cons of each option
4) Choose the decision With The Most BENEFITS for them!
Now heres where I get picky.
A) I am not denying regret, which is the intake of new information which, in retrospect, renders a previous decision faulty, or wrong, by introducing a superior option to the one chosen, or by redefining the pros and cons of the previous options. Any decision can be considered wrong in retrospect, however, this does not contradict that the correct choice was made at the time of the decision.
B) I am not assuming a universal standard of happiness. What one person considers a benefit may be a negative to another. Consequently, the word "right" and "wrong" in my theory are relative to the individual decision maker.
Examples:
Cary breaks up with her boyfriend, John, because she has been told he has cheated on her. Later she finds out that he actually did not. Did she make the wrong decision?
At the time, no. She choose what the best option was based on the information provided. In retrospect, yes, because new information was introduced that created regret.
No one has ever made a wrong decision at the time the decision was made in regards to their interpretation of benefits/happiness. This is because of the mechanics of decision making:
1) Intake information
2) Learn of options based on information
3) Weigh the pros and cons of each option
4) Choose the decision With The Most BENEFITS for them!
Now heres where I get picky.
A) I am not denying regret, which is the intake of new information which, in retrospect, renders a previous decision faulty, or wrong, by introducing a superior option to the one chosen, or by redefining the pros and cons of the previous options. Any decision can be considered wrong in retrospect, however, this does not contradict that the correct choice was made at the time of the decision.
B) I am not assuming a universal standard of happiness. What one person considers a benefit may be a negative to another. Consequently, the word "right" and "wrong" in my theory are relative to the individual decision maker.
Examples:
Cary breaks up with her boyfriend, John, because she has been told he has cheated on her. Later she finds out that he actually did not. Did she make the wrong decision?
At the time, no. She choose what the best option was based on the information provided. In retrospect, yes, because new information was introduced that created regret.
