DECISION-MAKING IN ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

After a very brief introductory discussion of various approaches to the theory of decision-making (utility analysis, multiple perspectives, holistic approach) this paper introduces the idea of 'neg-decision' or 'neg-option', i.e. the analysis of the attributes of the opposite option, as a possible auxiliary for obtaining a comparable set of utility attributes. The use of the bifurcation (or 'catastrophe theory') in decision-making is also explored. The possible use of catastrophe theory and neg-decision are exemplified on hand of environmental decision making and cost-benefit analysis. © 1990.