Distinction and Decision
What distinguishes a distinction from a decision? And why is that significant?
Assuming that one distinguishes between wood and stone, then one has made a distinction and, at the same time, decided that many other materials (metals etc.) are not to be further taken into consideration. However, one knows that now one will (only) occupy oneself with wood and stone. If distinctions are understood as decisions, it is different than pretending that only wood and stone exist! The choice of a distinction is, as such, a decision. This is frequently overlooked.
Now, distinctions can be made that place alternatives on both sides, both of which are attractive. This attractiveness is defined by the distinguishing system! For one person, the alternative “Chocolate or cake?” causes indecision, for the other, who does not like chocolate, the matter is clear and for him, who likes neither, it also becomes difficult.
Whatever decision is made, it creates security, which is temporary and criticisable. After the decision one knows something!! Thus, not knowing (“This or that?“) is not reduced by knowing, but by decisions! However, because decisions are fundamentally debatable and criticisable, it is important to mobilise objective reasons, i.e. knowledge, in order to make the decision lying behind the distinction, and the choice built up upon it, invisible.