Panel G.04 — Decision-making and Justice: Unraveling the Threads of Social Equity
Convenors Teresa Rinaldi (Università e-Campus, Italy); Annalisa Valle (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore)
Keywords decision-making process, altruism, international mobility, social justice, financial education
This panel endeavors to delve into the profound influence of psychological decision-making abilities (Castelli, Marchetti, 2012) on social justice. Recent educational literature underscores the integral role of conscious decision-making in promoting social justice, with a focus on principles like equity, fairness, safety, and success, as elucidated by Koonce and Kreassing in 2020. The overarching goal is to underscore the critical role of decision-making in fostering social justice, examining its formative stages during childhood and the pivotal educational role played by adults.
From an evolutionary standpoint, research on decision-making scrutinizes the progression of children’s decisional capacity in relation to equity. This involves considering one’s and others’ needs, resulting in decisions characterized by fairness and altruism. The concepts of equity and fairness in childhood are explored related to individual characteristics, empathy, and parochialism (Castelli et al., 2021; Marchetti et al., 2016). Contextual factors, spanning cultural, familial, and educational realms, shape decision-making development by transmitting ethical and social norms (Bicchieri, Muldon, Suntuoso, 2018).
Within the family, a primary developmental context, decision-making plays a pivotal role for the allocation of resources. Economic education, particularly, imparts the importance of fair resource distribution. Adults, both in educational and familial settings, must recognize their roles as models and educators in decision-making development, guiding children in comprehending the consequences of their choices for fostering positive social relations and equitable societies (Marchetti et al., 2021).
Decision-making studies present further challenges, notably in areas such as career choices, where individuals shape their futures to enhance living conditions. A crucial area for future exploration lies in the evolving relationship between individuals and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Will AI act as a supportive tool in human decision-making, or could it potentially supplant human agency? Moreover, can AI consider social aspects to contribute to the construction of fairer societies? These questions become increasingly pertinent as AI continues to evolve, emphasizing the interdisciplinary nature of decision-making studies and their far-reaching implications for societal dynamics.