Principlev1

Use values to eliminate unviable options rather than to

Use values to eliminate unviable options rather than to identify a single correct choice — a functional values system should narrow your decision space without collapsing it to one option.

Why This Is a Principle

Grounded in Goals as Perceptual Filters (goals function as perceptual filters defining relevance), Human beings make decisions under conditions of incomplete (bounded rationality under constraints), and Simple decision rules using less information can outperform (simple rules can outperform complex models). The lesson distinguishes values-as-compass from values-as-map: values should rule out some paths (signal) while leaving multiple viable routes (preserving adaptive capacity). This is actionable guidance for values-based decision-making.

Source Lessons

L-0638

Values as a compass, not a map

Values tell you which direction to walk but not which specific path to take. They are a compass, not a map — and confusing the two leads to rigidity or paralysis.

Connections

Derived From (3)

AxiomGoals as Perceptual Filters AxiomSimple decision rules using less information can outperform AxiomHuman beings make decisions under conditions of incomplete

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