Deliberation Discussion Debate
Inidivduals deliberate in their personal lives when they have to make a decision on matters that are very important to them, when there are competing approaches to solving a problem, and when there is not any authority that can tell them exactly what to do.
They often discuss and share their thoughts with others on these very same issues when they desire feedback and the consideration of other points of view.
If the issue or issues can be crystallized into two polar opposite positions, people might even debate – looking to persuade and advocate one position over another.
People can also deliberate in their professional and communal lives, collectively, as a group, to help tackle “wicked problems” and make decisions on difficult issues that confront us all.
In the end, decisions are not made via one simple process, nor are they made on facts alone. There’s an internal struggle. It is about what is most important to any given individual, that individual's family, and those with whom he or she works and associates. What questions might lead people to use deliberation before making important decisions?
- How does the outcome of an issue affect long term interests?
- What is valuable to us?
- What are the costs and consequences of each option? What are the costs and consequences of doing nothing?
- Where are the tensions?
- What are the gray areas?
- Do we have any shared sense of purpose? Can we detect any common ground?
- Do we see any possibilities for public actions?
Deliberation is a natural act. People normally deliberate about family matters, business matters, and social matters. Deliberation about community matters or public issues is no different. People are still deliberating about matters that are important and valuable to them.