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Nudge in perspective: A systematic literature review on the ethical issues with nudging

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  • Paul Kuyer
  • Bert Gordijn

Abstract

In this article, we systematically review the literature on the ethics of nudging. Since the publication of the book Nudge by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein in 2008, a rich literature has been developed on the question whether it is ethical to nudge people. This is an important area for research as nudges are commonly used by governments and private corporations to alter the behaviour of citizens and consumers. In order to gain a complete overview of this literature, we conduct a systematic search of academic sources. We investigate which ethical issues with nudging are discussed. We find four major ethical issues, namely worries regarding 1) autonomy, 2) welfare, 3) long-term adverse effects, and 4) democracy and deliberation. We discuss each ethical issue by highlighting how it is defined, what the critique constitutes, what its sub-issues are, and which defences of nudging have been argued for. In this way, the systematic literature review provides a comprehensive overview of the literature on the ethics of nudging to date. The results of our systematic review contribute to a better understanding of the ethical issues with nudging, as well as of the current state of the literature on these topics.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul Kuyer & Bert Gordijn, 2023. "Nudge in perspective: A systematic literature review on the ethical issues with nudging," Rationality and Society, , vol. 35(2), pages 191-230, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ratsoc:v:35:y:2023:i:2:p:191-230
    DOI: 10.1177/10434631231155005
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    3. Nathalie Alexandre-Bourhis & Aude Mechin-Delabarre, 2025. "Sensemaking and Nudge Management: A Combined Approach to Analyzing the Resilience of Local Authorities in the Face of Crisis [Création de sens et nudge management, une approche combinée pour analyser la résilience des collectivités territoriales f," Post-Print hal-05326216, HAL.
    4. Vikas Prakash, 2026. "Rationality and Optimizing Behaviour of Technology-aided Consumers: A Critique on Perspectives of Behavioural Economists," FIIB Business Review, , vol. 15(2), pages 150-162, March.
    5. Stefano Calboli & Bart Engelen, 2025. "AI-enhanced nudging in public policy: why to worry and how to respond," Mind & Society: Cognitive Studies in Economics and Social Sciences, Springer;Fondazione Rosselli, vol. 24(2), pages 529-547, December.
    6. Kuyer, Paul & Shukla, Sukanya & O'Brolcháin, Fiachra & Doncel, Víctor Rodríguez & Gordijn, Bert, 2025. "The ethics of digital nudging for sustainable energy consumption – A closer look at the EU Green Deal," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    7. Nathanaël Colin-Jaeger & Malte Dold, 2025. "Individual autonomy and public deliberation in behavioral public policy," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-10, December.
    8. Iwata, Yukinori, 2025. "Active choosing or default rules? A revealed preference approach," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    9. Abigail Devereaux, 2025. "Hot nudges on hazy landscapes," Mind & Society: Cognitive Studies in Economics and Social Sciences, Springer;Fondazione Rosselli, vol. 24(2), pages 795-826, December.

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