Issues in societal optimal engineering decision making

Optimal decision making in the context of engineering is addressed from the perspective of society, with the aim of optimal decision making being understood as to provide an informed basis for the identification of sustainable societal developments. The paper begins with a discussion of the issues that are presently of main concern in engineering decision making from a societal perspective. Following this, a suggestion is outlined for the hierarchical representation of the typical societal organizational instruments for ensuring such optimal decision making. This representation defines the boundary conditions for the optimization of engineering decision making. Thereafter, based on Bayesian decision theory, the main constituents of decision making are highlighted, and the various problems in the representation and treatment of these in the context of decision making are discussed in light of the most recent developments of research in these areas. This includes the representation of society in decision making, decision making subject to uncertainty and lack of knowledge, treatment of risk perception, reconciliation of expert opinions, consistent risk assessment, and aspects of socio-economically sustainability.

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