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Breaking Up Rationally
Daniel Villiger1,2, Bouke de Vries3
1Institute of Philosophy, University of Zurich, Zollikerstrasse 117, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland.
The Journal of Ethics
|April 24, 2025
Summary
Ending a long-term relationship is stressful. This study presents a rational decision-making framework for transformative choices, even in romantic breakups.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Decision Theory
- Relationship Science
Background:
- Long-term relationship dissolution is a highly stressful life event.
- Traditional decision theory struggles with transformative decisions due to uncertain outcomes.
- Rational guidance is needed for high-stakes relationship choices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate how rational decisions can be made regarding ending long-term romantic relationships.
- To introduce a novel five-level framework for transformative decision-making.
- To integrate existing approaches for making transformative decisions.
Main Methods:
- Development of a five-level account of transformative decision-making.
- Systematic integration of recent approaches to transformative decision-making.
- Application of the framework to the decision of ending long-term romantic relationships.
Main Results:
- A method for rational decision-making in transformative contexts is presented.
- The framework accommodates the potentially life-altering nature of relationship breakups.
- The approach offers a structured way to navigate complex, high-stakes choices.
Conclusions:
- Rational decision-making is possible even for transformative choices like ending long-term relationships.
- The proposed five-level framework provides a systematic approach to such decisions.
- This model can be applied to other significant life choices requiring careful consideration.
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