Fairness and randomness in decision-making: the case of decision thresholds.

This paper defends the role of lotteries in fair decision-making. It does so by targeting the use of decision thresholds to convert algorithmic predictions and classifications into decisions. Using an account of fairness from John Broome, the paper argues that decision thresholds are sometimes unfai...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Synthese Vol. 206; no. 1; pp. 1 - 29
Autor principal: Vredenburgh, Kate
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: Springer Nature Jul2025
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:This paper defends the role of lotteries in fair decision-making. It does so by targeting the use of decision thresholds to convert algorithmic predictions and classifications into decisions. Using an account of fairness from John Broome, the paper argues that decision thresholds are sometimes unfair, and that lotteries would be a fairer allocation method. It closes by dealing with two objections. First, it deals with the objection that lotteries should only be used to break ties in cases where individuals’ claims are equally strong. Here, the paper gives a new argument for Broome’s view, targeting decision criteria that are arbitrary and highly standardized. It then defends the arguments of the paper against the objection that lotteries are not morally superior to other methods of arbitrary choosing.