Question

Which one of the following principles, if established, would determine that demolishing the houses was the right decision or instead would determine that the proposal advocated by the opponents of demolition should have been adopted? (A) When what to do about an abandoned neighborhood building is in dispute, the course of action that would result in the most housing for people who need it should be the one adopted unless the building is believed to pose a threat to neighborhood safety. (B) When there are two proposals for solving a neighborhood problem, and only one of them would preclude the possibility of trying the other approach if the first proves unsatisfactory, then the approach that does not foreclose the other possibility should be the one adopted. (C) If one of two proposals for renovating vacant neighborhood buildings requires government funding whereas the second does not, the second proposal should be the one adopted unless the necessary government funds have already been secured. (D) No plan for eliminating a neighborhood problem that requires demolishing basically sound houses should be carried out until all other possible alternatives have been thoroughly investigated. (E) No proposal for dealing with a threat to a neighborhood's safety should be adopted merely because a majority of the residents of that neighborhood prefer that proposal to a particular counterproposal.

Short answer

Principle D ensures that demolishing houses requires exploring all alternatives first.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Question

The task is to determine which principle would appropriately justify whether demolishing houses or opting for an alternative proposal was the right decision.

Analyze Option A

Option A suggests adopting a course of action that results in the most housing unless safety is at risk. Analyze if this principle offers a decisive measure between demolishing or not.

Analyze Option B

Option B considers adopting a proposal that doesn't make the alternative impossible if it fails. Evaluate if this ensures a correct decision regarding demolition.

Analyze Option C

Option C prefers non-government funded proposals unless funding is assured. Determine if this applies to deciding on demolition.

Analyze Option D

Option D prohibits demolishing sound houses until all alternatives are considered. This principle offers a clear condition to decide on demolition based on available alternatives.

Analyze Option E

Option E dismisses adopting a proposal based only on majority preference regarding safety. Check if this influences the decision between proposals.

Select Appropriate Principle

Evaluate which principle gives a decisive metric on whether demolition was the right choice, in this case focusing on thorough investigation of alternatives as crucial.

Key concepts

Logical Reasoning

Logical reasoning plays a key role in evaluating which principle governs the decision of demolishing or preserving houses. It involves analyzing various factors and scenarios to draw an informed conclusion.
Understanding logical reasoning starts with recognizing patterns, connections, and the consequences of different choices.

To logically decide between demolishing houses or adopting an alternative proposal, you must:

• Identify the premises: Statements or facts that provide the basis for the decision.
• Analyze arguments: Critically evaluate the strength and credibility of each argument.
• Apply logical links: Use "if-then" statements to deduce outcomes. For example, "If demolishing the houses leads to safety risks, then..."
• Check consistency: Ensure that the decision aligns with the established facts and principles.

Understanding logical reasoning not only aids in making current decisions but also helps build skills for future problem-solving scenarios.

Decision Making

Effective decision making combines logical reasoning with situational analysis to arrive at a balanced choice.
In the context of the given problem, decision making requires considering multiple proposals and weighing their benefits and drawbacks.

The key steps to enhance decision making include:

• Define objectives: Clearly establish what you aim to achieve, whether it’s ensuring safety or maximizing housing.
• Analyze options: Evaluate all possible courses of action, like in Option A deciding based on maximum housing outcome unless safety is a risk.
• Consider consequences: Anticipate both short-term and long-term effects of each decision.
• Prioritize flexibility: Choosing plans that allow for adapting to changes, as highlighted in Option B, where exploring adaptable solutions can be ideal if the first option fails.

Making informed decisions ensures that chosen solutions are both feasible and applicable in the real-world context.

Principles of Evaluation

Principles of evaluation are essential in determining the merit and validity of decisions, particularly those concerning significant community projects such as demolitions.
Evaluation principles help in understanding which actions are justifiable and effective.

• Thorough investigation: Before deciding, all alternatives should be comprehensively examined, as stressed in Option D. This helps in preventing premature decisions.
• Equitable consideration: All elements of proposals should be considered without bias, ensuring an objective perspective.
• Alignment with objectives: Any decision should support the broader goals, like community safety or housing provision.
• Feedback integration: Learn from past decisions to improve future evaluations and outcomes.

Employing these principles ensures that the decision-making process is rigorous and leads to solutions that are both effective and sustainable.