Why Hard Decisions are Hard (1, #6)
On subjective priorities — Estimated Read Time: 38 seconds.
Oxford philosopher Ruth Chang points out that what makes a decision hard is not the size of the choice: It’s when one choice is not obviously better than the other. In particular, these decisions are difficult because Option A is better in some ways, and Option B is better in other ways. This means there is no objectively “right” choice—it’s a subjective choice that depends on who you are and what you prioritize. In her TED Talk, Chang points out that, “Far from being sources of agony and dread, hard choices are precious opportunities for us to celebrate what is special about the human condition.” These subjective moments are a chance to determine who you are: not only to validate your perception of your own identity, but to choose what your identity will be.
Insight inspired by: Ruth Chang, via this excellent article (which included some runners-up best insights like ‘Play the long game’ and ‘The advantage of self-complexity’) by
, which I found via ’s amazing newsletter, .