The correctness of a decision can’t be judged from the…
““The correctness of a decision can’t be judged from the outcome. Nevertheless, that's how people assess it. A good decision is one that’s optimal at the time it’s made, when the future is by definition unknown. Thus, correct decisions are often unsuccessful, and vice versa.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A decision’s quality is judged by its logic at the time, not by the result, because outcomes are influenced by unknown future events.
In simple terms: Good decisions can fail; bad decisions can succeed.
Key Takeaway
Evaluate decisions by process, not outcome.
Themes
decision‑making
uncertainty
evaluation
bias
risk
Mood
reflective
analytical
cautious
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- investment choices
- business strategy
- personal life choices
- policy planning
Key Concepts
optimality
information asymmetry
counterfactual thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you separate process quality from result?
- What criteria can you use to assess decisions when outcomes are unknown?
A Different Perspective
Outcomes can mislead judgments, especially with hindsight bias.