Lichtenstein, SarahGregory, RobinSlovic, PaulWagenaar, Willem A.2017-09-082017-09-081990Lichtenstein, S., Gregory, R., Slovic, P., & Wagenaar, W. A. (1990). When lives are in your hands: Dilemmas of the societal decision maker. In R. M. Hogarth (Ed.), Insights in decision making: A tribute to Hillel J. Einhorn (pp. 91-106). Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.https://hdl.handle.net/1794/2276331 pagesA Societal Decision Maker (SDM) is a person who makes risky decisions on behalf of others. Most of the time, such decisions should be based on the wishes and beliefs pf the affected people. This paper explores a few cases in which it could be argued that the SDM, in making decision, should in good conscience disregard the desires of beliefs of the affected people. Several simplifying assumptions are made: The SDM uses decision analysis in making the decision; teh affected people speak with one voice on the matter under dispute; the SDM cannot delay the decision or otherwise avoid the disagreement; the SDM cannot delay the decision or otherwise avoid the disagreement; the SDM is motivated only to make the right decision; the SDM can effectuate an unpopular decision. In this context, the following dilemmas are discussed: (1) What if the people object to the use of decision analysis? (2) What if the people reject the axioms of decision analysis? (3) What risk attitude should the SDM adopt? (4) What concerns should be included in the analysis? (5) What if people are misinformed? (6) What if individual and societal perspectives differ? (7) Do people really want what they say they want? For some of these questions, we argue that the SDM should make decisions against the wishes of the people; for others, we are not sure how to resolve the dispute.enCreative Commons BY-NC-ND 4.0-USSocial decision makerDecision makingBook chapter