AI / Analysis & Decision Making
Separate My Preferences From the Facts
Take apart your own reasoning and see what's left
I'm leaning toward [option] because: [my reasons]. Split those reasons into two columns: facts and preferences. 1) Label each one — a fact must be independently verifiable by a third party; a preference is a ranking of values or a position; 2) Point out which “facts” are preferences in disguise, like calling “I know this better” a matter of “it's safer”; 3) With every preference removed, do the facts still support the choice; 4) Do my preferences contradict each other — wanting both speed and safety; 5) Name the one preference that, if it changed, would flip the conclusion. Don't choose for me.
How to use
Write the reasons before you sort them. Choose first and justify after, and everything you produce is packaging.
Good for
- You already have a preference and are assembling reasons to convince yourself or others, and you want the smuggling exposed.
- Two options have their camps and the argument has gone in circles, because it's really a disagreement about values — you want it pulled back to what's checkable.
Not for
- This is a pure values decision — whether to give up a promotion for family, say — and the split will make you think an objective answer exists.
- The disagreement is over facts while both sides want the same thing — check the data; sorting preferences is a detour.
Example
Input
I lean toward supplier A: their quote is ¥480k against B's ¥520k, they respond fast, and they know our team.
What you get
“¥40k cheaper” is a fact, but check the basis: A's quote excludes implementation, usually +15% on comparable work, so the real figure is ¥550k — while “responds fast” rests on sales-level evidence only and “knows our team” is a preference meaning less coordination cost and less hassle for you. Strip the preferences and the facts say only that A's sticker price is ¥40k lower and the real price may be higher, which is not enough to choose A. The question that actually decides it is how much you'll pay for less hassle; put a number on that and the choice stops churning.
Common mistakes
- Keeping only the column that favors you: “I know this better” gets called a fact, the other side's experience gets called a preference.
- Treating preference as contamination to be removed — preferences aren't wrong; using them as facts to persuade people is.
Try tweaking it like this
- Split the reasons behind the option you oppose instead — check yourself for a double standard.
- Add “if my preferences reversed, which option would I pick,” a reversal test that exposes what's really driving the call.