# decision (cognitive)

selecting one option from among differing alternatives over time

- Computed level: L10 (depth in the emergence graph, not abstraction)
- Status: review  ·  Domain: cognitive  ·  Arena: decision

## Emergence
**Emerges from:** [choice](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-choice.decision), [difference](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-difference.relation), [select](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-select.choice), [time](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-time.dimension)

**Through:** choice and difference establish multiple distinct options, which selection resolves over time, producing a decision

**Novel properties:**
- outcome selection
- temporal resolution
- option exclusivity

## Examples
- The Mars rover Opportunity selected a path around a sand trap in 2005 using onboard algorithms. *(computing)*
- In 2008, Iceland’s government chose to let Kaupthing Bank fail instead of bailing it out. *(economics)*
- A neuron fires when membrane potential crosses −55 mV, selecting output among silent, burst, or steady states. *(biology)*

## Used by
- [executive](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-executive.role) (L14)

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*Canonical: https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-decision.cognitive*  
*Structured data: https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-decision.cognitive.json*  
*Every definition provably resolves to space, time, energy and pattern.*