Comparitive Study - Simon's Decision Making Model Vs Ancient Indian Sacred Texts

Simon's Fact-Value Dichotomy in Decision Making:
Simon in his writing asserts that each decision consists of a logical combination of fact(proven examples) and value(good and bad/morality,culture or virtues) propositions. He states that as much as possible decisions should be based on facts and not influenced by values much so that there is uniformity in decision making universally because values are individual centred and varies from individual to individual whereas facts do not. Also decisions based on facts are most beneficial as they are proven and tried and tested most of the time and well calculated. He however made an exception for values stating that values can take part in decisions relating to the fixation of end goals of a policy while factual judgements shall be seen pre-dominant in the implementation of such goals.

Drawing a paralled with the Bhagvad Gita's teachings:
The Bhagvad Gita begins with Arjuna deciding to give up the fight of Righteousness by basing his decision totally on his value judgment and totally ignoring the factual side of it. His dilemma of a fact-value decision is something people face everyday. It is then when Sri Krishna in Chapter 2 of the Bhagvad gita reveals the true facts and duties of a human life as well as how one should pre-dominantly do what is based on facts/truths and objectivity rather than what is based on one's individual values which varies from person to person. The value should be attached to the end of the goal which is to establish the right way of life and eradicate unrighteousness from this world by doing his duty and attaining the greatest amount of good for the greatest number as propositioned by Classical Utilitarians John Stuart Mill and Jeremy Bentham.

Simon's Decision Making Model:
Herbert Simon listed a three step process for proper decision at individual level making that need to be followed in a systematic manner.
1. Intelligence stage: It is the stage of identifying the problem and collecting all the necessary information regarding it.
2. Design stage: Search for possible & suitable courses or strategies or alternatives of action that could help resolve the issue in the best possible manner and leading to positive and beneficial results for the organisation.
3. Choice stage: It is the stage where the final decision is taken after completing the above two steps. It is here that the best alternative out of all the possible solutions is chosen to solve the issue/roblem identified. This stage requires certain skills like judgement,creativity,quantitative analysis and experience in the decision making process.

Parallels drawn wit the Bhagvad Gita on Decision Making:
Parallels of Herbert Simon's decision making model/process can be drawn in the Bhagvad Gita.Towards the end of the complete dialogue between Sri Krishna and Arjuna, Arjuna is told to probe in totality whatever he has just been audience to and comprehended and proceed to make his decision.

Intelligence stage: The problem had been identified which was that of a fact-value dilemma in deciding by Arjuna.
Krishna helps Arjuna identify that with him being the source of all facts and information/intelligence.

Design stage: Krishna then provides Arjuna with an undeniable understanding of decision making:
"iti te jñanam akhyata? guhyad guhyatara? maya
vimishyaitad ashehea yathechchhasi tatha kuru" [Bhagavad Gita 18.63]

Translation:Thus, I have explained to you this knowledge that is more secret than all secrets. Ponder over it deeply, and then do as you wish.

Then Arjuna proceeded to the Choice stage: Upon deep analysis and choosing the right solution to the problem Arjuna says to Krishna:
"naho moha smitir labdha tvat-prasadan mayachyuta
sthito ‘smi gata-sandeha?" [Bhagvad Gita 18.73]

Translation: O infallible one, by your grace my illusion has been dispelled, and I am situated in knowledge. I am now free from doubts.

Arjuna then executes the same and wins the war of wrong vs right and establishes righteousness once again in the society.

Decision making in the Taittiriya Upanishad:
Taittiriya rishi gives a complete solution by teaching his students the optimum way to arrive at a conclusion and take best decision.
Taitriya Upanishad [11.8] gives a simple yet detailed and beautiful account of how an enquiry is to be done in order to arrive at the correct fact-value conclusion and decision:
1. Sammarsinham – good judgment
2. Alookshaa – Without deception or guile
3.Dharma kaama – Devoted to dharma which is the right and just way of doing anything, the well-being of others (the society, the corporation, the country, the world etc)
4. Yuktaa – Proper conduct
5. Aayuktaa – self governed/ruled decisions independent of other outside incitements

So, that is where this post ends today with wholesome ancient pearls of wisdom have time and again repeated themselves in modern theories and that serves as a lesson that ancient wisdom whould be the first books we read while in the studet period of our life and then keep referring to to understand complex modern theories in a simplistic way. This way we will be completely prepared in our consciousness as well as subconsciousness for any kind of decision making situation in personal and professional life throughout our existence.