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5 - What Is a Good Decision?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 May 2023

Thomas Dietz
Affiliation:
Michigan State University
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Summary

Making good decisions about sustainability requires explicit consideration about what criteria to use. Three grand traditions dominate most policy discussions: utilitarianism, deliberative ethics and anarchism/libertarianism. The chapter proposes seven criteria for good decisions. Three are criteria for the outcomes. A good decision should enhance the well-being of humans and other species while reducing stress on the environment; be efficient in allocating resources; and enhance individual freedoms. Four are criteria about process: take account of uncertainty in both facts and values, as well as value conflicts; promote fairness in both the decision process and its outcomes; rely on human cognitive strengths and compensate for weaknesses; and allow for social learning.

Type
Chapter
Information
Decisions for Sustainability
Facts and Values
, pp. 77 - 97
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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  • What Is a Good Decision?
  • Thomas Dietz, Michigan State University
  • Book: Decisions for Sustainability
  • Online publication: 25 May 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009169400.006
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  • What Is a Good Decision?
  • Thomas Dietz, Michigan State University
  • Book: Decisions for Sustainability
  • Online publication: 25 May 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009169400.006
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • What Is a Good Decision?
  • Thomas Dietz, Michigan State University
  • Book: Decisions for Sustainability
  • Online publication: 25 May 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009169400.006
Available formats
×