JustaNumber I wll retract my statement on the MEL as there can be minor conflicts when several items are defective however this isn't an issue in this case.
Agreed, there can be system conflicts when several items are defective, however there is more to it than that, and I believe it is an issue in this case. Again, the reg. states: "When operating with multiple inoperative items, the interrelationships between those items
and the effect on aircraft operation and crew workload will be considered." This opens the door to the captain being required to consider many other factors, such as altitudes flown, training areas, weather, darkness, etc. And of course, ten different captains in the same situation will make ten different decisions, but, as long as no one dies, it's all good.
I understand you're primarily second-guessing his analysis of the situation, which is fine, but since a superior pilot such as yourself can't be in all cockpits at once, I and the FARs say it's entirely appropriate for us to let whoever's butt is in the left seat make whatever decisions he thinks are reasonable. Can't you see the ramifications of not allowing all captains to make their own decisions (absolutely correct or not)?