Final answer:
The justification stage in a decision-making process is not about rationalizing a bad decision as good, but rather about providing logical support for a decision using rational reasoning and evidence, which makes a belief more likely to be true.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'The justification stage is used to explain the decision and rationalize why a bad decision may actually be good' is false. Justification is a process or act of showing something to be right or reasonable. In a rational decision-making process, justification typically involves providing reasons to support an argument or choice to ensure the decision is based on logical reasoning and sound evidence.
Justification in itself does not make a belief true but rather makes it more likely to be true by providing supporting reasons that are logically in favor. Rationalization can sometimes be confused with justification; it involves explaining or justifying behavior with logical reasons, even if these are not the actual motivating factors. Humans often use rationalization to make incorrect judgments or decisions seem reasonable or acceptable.
Therefore, the justification stage is not about making a bad decision appear good, but about backing a decision with strong reasoning and evidence. Motivated reasoning, a type of bias, happens when individuals look for evidence that supports their pre-existing beliefs while ignoring contradicting data. Ethical decisions, such as those in just-war theory, require proper justification that takes into account proportionality between the actions and the intended outcomes.