From decision theory to decision aiding methodology

The paper presents the author’s partial and personal historical reconstruction of how decision theory is evolving to a decision aiding methodology. The presentation shows mainly how “alternative” approaches to classic decision theory evolved. In the paper it is claimed that all such decision “theories” share a common methodological feature, which is the use of formal and abstract languages as well as of a model of rationality. Different decision aiding approaches can thus be defined, depending on the origin of the model of rationality used in the decision aiding process. The concept of decision aiding process is then introduced and analysed. The paper’s ultimate claim is that all such decision aiding approaches can be seen as part of a decision aiding methodology.