Decisions about Decisions
Practical Reason in Ordinary Life

This book examines decisions about decisions—what they are, where they go wrong, and how they can go right.

Cass R. Sunstein (Author)

9781009400466, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 13 July 2023

224 pages
23.6 x 16.1 x 2.1 cm, 0.48 kg

'In Decisions about Decisions, Cass Sunstein challenges the premise, widely adopted in Economics and other disciplines, that decision making is merely a means to an end. Instead, he posits that the process of arriving at a choice is emotionally consequential. The book systematically explores implications for how we choose who we are, what we value, what we know, what we believe, and ultimately what we do. Sunstein rewards the reader with rich insights and novel perspectives on human behavior.' B. Douglas Bernheim, Stanford University

Here is one of the most fundamental questions in human life: How do we decide how we decide? We make such decisions all the time. If you trust your doctor, you might decide to follow a simple rule for medical decisions: Do whatever your doctor suggests. If you like someone a lot, and maybe love them, but are not sure whether you want to marry them, you might do this: Live with them first. Some of these strategies are wise. They prevent error. They improve your emotional well-being. Some of these strategies are foolish. They lead you in the direction of terrible mistakes. They prevent you from learning. They might make you miserable. Decisions about Decisions explores how people do, and should, make decisions about decisions. It aims to see what such decisions are, to explore how they go right, and see where they go wrong.

Preface
1. Second-order decisions
2. Deciding to opt
3. Deciding to know
4. Deciding to believe, 1: The case of climate change
5. Deciding to believe – 2. In general
6. Deciding inconsistently
7. Deciding to consume – 1. In general
8. Deciding to consume – 2. The case of social media
9. Deciding by algorithm
10. Deciding for oneself
Epilogue: 'Get drunk!'.

Subject Areas: Public finance [KFFD]