the new normal
akindofmagic,
I accept your understanding of pilot responsibilities. I never ever had a problem, because I was also sure of my position. Another post by me on this thread indicated my own procedures to ensure I was the decision maker.
It sounds like you are in a good operation, unlike most pilots these days. The point was that if discretion is habitually exercised, airlines start to expect it as a right, which of course it is not. There is a problem if this situation goes on for many years and suddenly one pilot refuses.
Automatic discretion should never have become entrenched, but once it has, it is a bit late to change the trend without explanation. Especially when a pilot is dismissed, UK CAA fails to confirm a pilot decision and a court case is required to clear the air.
If fact, many pilots have come to accept this weird situation, as evidenced by little pilot support from colleagues and unions. Quite a change from when I retired 16 years ago.