hesitáveis

Hesitáveis is a term used in theoretical discussions of decision-making and uncertainty to designate propositions, scenarios, or options that induce hesitation in observers or decision-makers. The word is formed from the verb hesitar and the suffix -ável, meaning "capaz de ser hesitado" or "susceptível a hesitar."

Origin and scope: The term has appeared mainly in Portuguese-language cognitive science and philosophy blogs and informal glossaries since the early 2020s. It is not widely standardized in peer-reviewed literature, and its precise scope can vary among authors.

Definition and usage: In this framework, hesitáveis are items characterized by ambiguity, conflicting cues, or unpredictable outcomes, such that agents show longer deliberation times, greater sensitivity to context, or increased indecision relative to non-hesitáveis options. The label is primarily descriptive, not normative.

Applications and examples: In experimental settings, researchers may classify stimuli as hesitáveis to study reaction time, risk assessment, or preference formation. Examples include a financial investment with uncertain returns, a moral dilemma with competing duties, or a policy proposal with conflicting evidence.

Critiques and relation to other concepts: Some scholars argue that hesitáveis overlaps with existing notions like ambiguity, risk, or decision latency, and caution against over-extensions of the term. Others view it as a useful heuristic for grouping uncertain options in thought experiments or behavioral studies.

See also: Hesitation, Decision making, Uncertainty, Indecision.