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Ethics, Decision Analysis, and Public Risk

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  • Ralph L. Keeney

Abstract

In any analysis of a decision problem involving public risks, ethical implications are introduced. In some cases, these ethical implications may be introduced simply because an analysis is being done. Additional ethical implications may be inherently part of the methodology being utilized or introduced into the specific analysis of the decision problem. In this paper, we investigate where and how ethical implications enter when using the methodology of decision analysis to examine problems involving public risks. We conclude that the methodology of decision analysis is sufficiently robust to allow for numerous different ethical viewpoints to be accounted for in any specific analysis. Stated alternatively, decision analyses of public risks can be conducted in a manner consistent with utilitarianism, deontological theories, libertarianism, egalitarianism, and so forth. However, any specific analysis has embedded within it numerous ethical implications. This suggests that the careful ethical scrutiny of analyses involving the methodology of decision analysis should be placed on the specific application and not on the methodology per se or on the fact that an analysis is undertaken.

Suggested Citation

  • Ralph L. Keeney, 1984. "Ethics, Decision Analysis, and Public Risk," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 4(2), pages 117-129, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:riskan:v:4:y:1984:i:2:p:117-129
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1539-6924.1984.tb00941.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ronald A. Howard, 1980. "An Assessment of Decision Analysis," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 28(1), pages 4-27, February.
    2. David E. Bell, 1982. "Regret in Decision Making under Uncertainty," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 30(5), pages 961-981, October.
    3. William D. Schulze & Allen V. Kneese, 1981. "Risk in Benefit‐Cost Analysis," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 1(1), pages 81-88, March.
    4. John D. Graham & James W. Vaupel, 1981. "Value of a Life: What Difference Does It Make?," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 1(1), pages 89-95, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. William N. Caballero & Roi Naveiro & David Ríos Insua, 2022. "Modeling Ethical and Operational Preferences in Automated Driving Systems," Decision Analysis, INFORMS, vol. 19(1), pages 21-43, March.
    2. Sven Ove Hansson, 1989. "Dimensions of Risk," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 9(1), pages 107-112, March.
    3. Ralph L. Keeney, 1990. "Mortality Risks Induced by Economic Expenditures," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 10(1), pages 147-159, March.
    4. Vicki Bier, 2020. "The Role of Decision Analysis in Risk Analysis: A Retrospective," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 40(S1), pages 2207-2217, November.

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