Normomis

Normomis is a theoretical construct used in normative theory and decision science to study how normative expectations govern the choice to act and, crucially, to refrain from acting. The term conveys the idea that social and ethical norms often regulate omissions as strongly as actions, guiding interactions in communities, organizations, and automated systems.

Formalization and core idea: A normomis framework assigns to each decision situation a set of permissible actions and a sanctioned set of omissions. Rather than only prescribing what to do, normomis models describe which non-actions are considered obligatory, permissible, or forbidden, with the aim of minimizing harm, waste, and intrusiveness while preserving essential outcomes. Mathematically, it can be represented as a mapping from situation spaces to ordered norms that weigh actions and omissions according to outcomes and ethical constraints.

History: The idea emerged in late 20th and early 21st century interdisciplinary debates among philosophers, computer scientists, and policy scholars, and it has been used in theoretical discussions on how to design systems that prefer non-intervention when intervention offers marginal benefit or risk.

Applications: In artificial intelligence, normomis can inform safe-by-design principles by preferring non-action when it would prevent harm or privacy invasion. In public policy, normomis supports minimal intervention approaches that still achieve policy goals. In ecology, it supports non-interventionist management to protect ecosystems.

Criticism: Critics note that norms around omissions are highly culturally variable and difficult to formalize, potentially leading to inconsistent or contested prescriptions. There is also a risk that overemphasis on omissions could justify inaction in the face of urgent problems.

See also: Normativity, omission bias, decision theory, ethical theory.