Considerese

Considerese is a term used in cognitive science and philosophy to describe the practice of deliberate consideration before acting. The term is used metaphorically, not as a formal language or dialect. It labels a mode of processing that prioritizes reflection over quick intuition, and is often invoked in discussions of decision making, risk assessment, and policy design.

Origins and scope: The concept arose in contemporary debates about bounded rationality and dual-process theories. Considerese is not a fixed theory but a descriptive label for behaviors and norms that emphasize listing options, evaluating trade-offs, forecasting potential outcomes, and checking biases before choosing a course of action. It can apply to individuals, teams, and institutions aiming to improve deliberation.

Implications and critique: Proponents argue that embracing considerese can reduce errors from heuristic shortcuts and improve long-term outcomes under uncertainty. Critics contend that it can incur time, cognitive load, and opportunity costs, and that real-world constraints may render perfect deliberation impractical. It is therefore discussed as one end of a spectrum with fast, intuitive decision making on the other.

See also: deliberation, System 2 thinking, bounded rationality, meta-cognition.