New book on ethics, risks and difficult decisions

How should we weigh risks, values, and responsibilities when making decisions about nuclear power, the climate crisis, or the care of premature infants? In the anthology Ethics, Risks and Difficult Decision-making. Examples and Epistemic Foundations, the authors explore, through various case studies, how views on knowledge and rationality influence difficult choices.

Should decisions be based on knowledge, defined—as Plato proposed—as true and justified beliefs? In a multicultural society there are frequently different and diverging views about values and what we know. Our choices are influenced by the alternatives we see, how they are described, and how we suppose that their consequences will affect us and our descendants. If we want to be able to predict preferences, we need to understand the importance of how the problems are presented and how our minds work.

The idea that the rational individual maximizes his or her expected utility when making a decision—derived from Frank Ramsey’s essay ‘Truth and probability’, published in 1931—is an important point of departure in this collection of essays. It comprises case studies of difficult decision-making when faced with challenges, such as nuclear strategy, the climate crisis and care of extremely preterm-born children, as well as perspectives on philosophical issues raised by making rational decisions.

Editors Göran Hermerén, Johannes Persson, Eva Sjöstrand & Robin Stenwall

Authors Wändi Bruine de Bruin, Pascal Engel, Monica Gruber, Göran Hermerén, Kevin Mulligan, Johannes Persson, Martin Peterson, Nils-Eric Sahlin, Paul Slovic

Book info
ISBN: 978-91-88763-78-5
ISBN: (PDF) 978-91-88763-79-2
ISSN: 0083-677X
148 pages
Published 2026
Hardcover
Series: Filologisk-filosofiska serien 28
Price: 260 SEK

The volume is also available open access.

Distribution via Stardist. Order or download here.

Contact for more information
Ulrika Gustafsson, Head of Publications, Editor, Kungl. Vitterhetsakademien, ulrika.gustafsson@vitterhetsakademien.se

The Royal Swedish Academy of Letters, History and Antiquities (Vitterhetsakademien) advances and funds research in the humanities and social sciences and in cultural heritage management. Its work is financed by donations and by public and private foundations. Vitterhetsakademien also owns and manages several historic buildings and sites: Skånelaholm Castle in Uppland, Stjernsund Castle in Närke, Rettig House in Stockholm (which houses Vitterhetsakademien’s offices), the villages of Stensjö in Småland and Borg on Öland, and the ruins of Gråborg on Öland.