Against the De Minimis Principle

Area of Science:

• Decision Theory
• Risk Assessment
• Normative Ethics

Background:

• The de minimis principle allows for the dismissal of risks deemed sufficiently small.
• This principle is often applied in various fields, including risk management and policy-making.
• However, its theoretical underpinnings and practical applicability remain subjects of debate.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically evaluate the role and validity of de minimis thresholds in normative decision-making.
• To demonstrate the inherent limitations of applying de minimis principles in practical scenarios.
• To propose an alternative framework for decision-making that accounts for bounded rationality.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of decision theory principles.
• Examination of the logical implications of de minimis thresholds.
• Exploration of agent constraints in information processing and decision-making.

Main Results:

• The application of de minimis thresholds in normative decision theory is fundamentally flawed.
• De minimis principles either lead to the neglect of significant risks or are unusable by agents with cognitive limitations.
• The principle fails to provide a universally applicable or ethically sound approach to risk management.

Conclusions:

• De minimis thresholds should be excluded from normative theories of decision-making.
• Decision-making frameworks must accommodate the realities of bounded rationality and information constraints.
• A more robust approach is needed to address risks, particularly those with severe consequences, regardless of their perceived magnitude.