Philosophy as the “Bread” of Decision-making: toward a layered, Interdisciplinary model for ethical and practical judgment

Ekoh, L. A., Anih, D. O., Nwafor, I. L.

Abstract

Philosophical reasoning serves as the ethical “bread” of decision-making, providing foundational guidance on values, rights, and moral principles. However, pure philosophy often struggles to address the empirical uncertainty, contextual complexity, and stakeholder variability inherent in real-world decisions. This paper proposes a synthesized, layered model that integrates normative philosophical principles as the foundational layer, empirical analysis as the middle layer, and context-sensitive judgment as the top layer. By bridging philosophical ethics with pragmatic and interdisciplinary approaches, the model offers a robust framework for navigating complex decision dilemmas in healthcare, public policy, AI governance, and global challenges. The paper emphasizes the necessity of training, collaborative research, and culturally adaptive decision-support tools to operationalize this model effectively.