Making Decisions

by D.V. Lindley

This book is about the logical processes that need to be used in arriving at a decision. The subject is discussed from a scientific viewpoint to see what basic principles there are in any choice of action. Addressed to anyone interested in decision making who is prepared to take the trouble to follow a reasoned argument.. Addressed to business executives, soldiers, politicians, scientists. In particular, addressed to university students in any discipline.

195 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

Reviews

[Nathaniel Hendrix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite thorough as an introduction. I especially appreciated the inclusion of scoring rules, and the way that Lindley places decision theory into a larger program of rationality.

The first few chapters refer back to an imaginary urn filled with black and white balls. This gets in the way once utility enters the picture, since at that point you're asked to manipulate the proportion of black to white balls in the urn. I wanted to pitch the urn out the window at that point.

[Robb Seaton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most readers will be better served by an introductory decision theory textbook.