Difference between revisions of "Choice" - New World Encyclopedia

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'''Choice''' consists of the [[mental function|mental process]] of [[thinking]] involved with the process of [[judgment|judging]] the merits of multiple [[wikt:option|option]]s and [[wikt:select|select]]ing one of them for action. Simple examples can involve deciding whether to get up in the morning or go back to sleep, or selecting a given route to make a journey across a country. Other more complex examples (many times decisions that affect what a person thinks or believes) can include choosing a religious affiliation, like between Islam and Christianity, or deciding which values to believe in, such as being pro-life or pro-choice.
 
'''Choice''' consists of the [[mental function|mental process]] of [[thinking]] involved with the process of [[judgment|judging]] the merits of multiple [[wikt:option|option]]s and [[wikt:select|select]]ing one of them for action. Simple examples can involve deciding whether to get up in the morning or go back to sleep, or selecting a given route to make a journey across a country. Other more complex examples (many times decisions that affect what a person thinks or believes) can include choosing a religious affiliation, like between Islam and Christianity, or deciding which values to believe in, such as being pro-life or pro-choice.

Revision as of 20:17, 2 April 2007

For other uses, see Choice (disambiguation).

Choice consists of the mental process of thinking involved with the process of judging the merits of multiple options and selecting one of them for action. Simple examples can involve deciding whether to get up in the morning or go back to sleep, or selecting a given route to make a journey across a country. Other more complex examples (many times decisions that affect what a person thinks or believes) can include choosing a religious affiliation, like between Islam and Christianity, or deciding which values to believe in, such as being pro-life or pro-choice.

Most people generally regard having choices as a good thing. But a severely limited or artificially restricted choice can lead to discomfort with choosing or even to unsatisfactory outcomes. On the contrary, unlimited choice may lead to confusion, regret of the alternatives not taken, and indifference in an unstructured existence; and the illusion that choosing an object or a course leads necessarily to control of that object or course can cause psychological problems.

In economics and politics

See also: rational choice theory, public choice theory, social choice theory

Consumerist advocates of consumption in general and advertising in particular join boosters of representative democracy in singing the praises and assuming the virtues of choice.

In the political sphere, the constraints of a two-party system often frustrate both voters and politicians.

Choice-advocates often pair the virtues of choice with the responsibilities of responsibility. Note that the consequences of a personal choice may impact on other people, and any associated responsibilities may extend into a wider society.

A political movement in the United States and United Kingdom which favors the legal availability of abortion calls itself Pro-Choice.

In law

The age at which children or young adults can make meaningful and considered choices poses issues for ethics and for jurisprudence.

In psychology

Main article: choice theory

See also

  • Hobson's choice
  • List of thinking-related topics

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Barry Schwartz (2004), The Paradox of Choice: why more is less, HarperCollins

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