8 Ways to Make Better Decisions

There is no magic formula to making the perfect decision every time, but there are philosophical principles, or "razors," you can use to pare down your options and see your problem more clearly. These razors can cut through the clutter of complexity and help us see the forest for the trees. And while they weren't designed with parents in mind, they can come in pretty handy!

Starting with the most famous, Occam’s Razor, we discuss how paring away unlikely hypotheticals leads to the most accurate solutions.

Next, we delve into Hanlon’s Razor, which reminds us to avoid attributing malicious intent when there’s a simpler explanation. This principle can help us avoid unnecessary conflict and foster understanding, especially in relationships.

Then we discuss Hitchens’ Razor, which places the burden of proof on the person making the claim. This can be a valuable tool for evaluating arguments and avoiding baseless assertions.

We also explore Chesterton’s Fence, which encourages us to be cautious about changing things without understanding their original purpose.

But that's not all. Listen to the episode to hear the rest, and let us know your own rules for clearer thinking!

Here are links to some of the resources mentioned in the episode:

• Itamar Shatz for Effectiviology: "Hanlon’s Razor: Never Attribute to Malice That Which is Adequately Explained by Stupidity"
• Farnam Street blog: Chesterton’s Fence: A Lesson in Thinking
• Reallemon for Medium: Hitchens’s Razor and its Place in Debate
• Kendra Cherry for Verywell Mind: How the Hawthorne Effect Works
• Our episode on decision fatigue

Go to our Facebook group and tell us what rules and razors you live by!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/whatfreshhellcast

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