Respected Prof. Kamal, I appreciate you for joining and taking the lead to initiate discussion.  Thanks for introducing the concept of "Clinical Decision making".  What steps are involved in Clinical Decision making?

It depends on the topic\area\problem to be solved. Some decisions would be followed as expert ones, others might with several alternatives as DSS; and yes an art as could be done based on your opinion and experience.

I think, decision-making is an art. Of course, if someone has scientic knowledge in the area one is taking a decision, then s/he is likely to make a better decision. But I think, that fact does not make it a science. That much help from scientifc knowledge is taken by every professional or expert. Even a carpenter who has extensively read the theory of carpentary can make better decisions while designing and making some furniture. But I doubt that it would tantamount to making his decisions a science. I Think decisio-making is very much an art.

@ Ra'ed (Moh'd Taisir) Masa'deh, well said, some decisions would be followed as expert ones. Can you please explain what is meant by some decisions would be followed as expert ones?   

Depending on a problem decision making can be art or science.

More of scienceish! It has three modes of decision: (1) Decision making under conditions of certainty, using linear programming, (2) Decision making under risk, using expected value and decision trees, and (3) Decision making under uncertainty, depending on the degree with which the future environment determining the outcomes of these decisions is known.

@Debi, brilliant reply as was expected from you. I see, you are pretty sure that decision making in an art. Then why term like Decision Support System (DSS) as referred by dear @Ra'ed (Moh'd Taisir) Masa'deh are being taught and projected since long in science. Any comments, please?

@Qefsere Doko Gjonbalaj, welcome and thanks for participating.  I appreciate your remarks. Do you think there is really discrete boundary between art and science now- a-days?

@Mahmoud Omid, thanks for giving a purely scientific reply. It is amazing to see the three modes of decision mentioned by you. I appreciate your answer.

@Mahmoud,

a good and matching analysis. I don´t believe, that there is any art in making decisions, the decision maker needs a lot of know how in all of your 3 possibilities. He must be able to differentiate the three cases by scientific methods using the underlying data and situation. May be  he will need some intuition, but thats no matter of art, it´s the result of experience.

@Roland Iosif Moraru, thanks for your nice compliments. I agree with that it may be a very complex question and therefore, complex replies are also welcome. I really appreciate link to a very useful document that you have shared.

To make an acceptable decision you need a lot of experience or back-ground knowledge, which is often not available in a dynamic world. If different people think the same decision is OK, you increase your chance that the decision is acceptable.

@Hanno Krieger, I appreciate your arguments. Thanks for adding a valuable point i.e. experience. Do you think, without experience, correct decisions can’t be made?

Dear Asmat

Your question appear to make a distiction between art and science. However, science and art naturally overlap. Both are a means of investigation. Both involve ideas, theories, and hypotheses that are tested in places where mind and hand come together—the laboratory and studio. Artists, like scientists, study—materials, people, culture, history, mythology— and learn to transform information into something else. In ancient Greece, the word for art was techne, from which technique and technology are derived—terms that are aptly applied to both scientific and artistic.

I believe art is science and science is deeply interwoven with our lives. “After all, what is art? Art is the creative process and it goes through all fields. Einstein’s theory of relativity – now that is a work of art! Einstein was more of an artist in physics than on his violin. Art is this: art is the solution of a problem which cannot be expressed explicitly until it is solved.” ― Piet Hein, Grooks 1

"After a certain high level of technical skill is achieved, science and art tend to coalesce in esthetics, plasticity, and form. The greatest scientists are artists as well."(Albert Einstein)

Back to your queston, decision making can therefore be either art or science or both depending on how you look at it, how you interpret art and science.

@Marcel M. Lambrechts, you are also supporting background experience. That’s right. But if one has not previous experience then s/he should not be involved in decision making? Don’t you think in this way, youth will never get a chance to be part of decision making process?

@Issam,

I´ve problems with your definition of art. I´ve learned, that art is a process, which is not neccesarily founded on scientific cognitions. So in my opinion art and science should be distinguished.

i think decision upon in knowledge according to information

It depends from the object anf level of the decision;in the case of routine work,  when the data are available, one could make a decision with fast reasoning. For decisions of a more stategic level, it needs scientific tools for studing and evaluationg the subject and have good insight of the problem. The way we take and organize or draw the decision could follow an art of decision making, depending on the objectives of the decision

Decision making is an art which is based on rigorous scientific reasoning and calculations. This is due to the fact that for the decision to make a choice. The choice is not always possible to calculate.

@Issam Sinjab, really intelligent answer. I agree with you, science and art naturally overlap. But I don’t think investigation is part of art. Can you  make use of art in partial differential equations?

@Hanno Krieger, I support your arguments that art may not be necessarily based on scientific cognitions.

@Behrooz Arastoo, I am thankful to you for sharing your knowledge with us. I appreciate it very much.

@Fairouz Bettayeb, You are right that if data are available then it should be used and therefore decision making becomes science. Perfect. But what if data is not available then?

I think that decision making is based on scientific facts and thus it belongs to science.

@Vyacheslav Lyashenko, thanks for joining and contributing. I think you have very intelligently used both terms. I endorse, Decision making is an art which is based on rigorous scientific reasoning. But if we have used scientific reasoning then is it not purely science?

In that case one must collect  and investigate the necessary data

Well said, @Fairouz Bettayeb. Thanks for prompt reply.

@ Abedallah M Rababah, thanks for a very smart answer.  I appreciate it very much.

Therefore, you are quite clear that decision making is in principle Science. 

There is of course "Decision Theory" which is based on optimization and game theory. There is however practical cases, like calculating the risk of structured bonds. So, in this case the decision is almost impossible!

There is also Fuzzy Optimization and Decision Making, see e.g: http://www.ise.ncsu.edu/fangroup/ie789.dir/Introduction%20to%20Fuzzy.pdf

Respected @ Costas Drossos, welcome for joining us.  Thanks for introducing and adding the concept of game theory and fuzzy optimization. I agree with you that decision about calculating the risk of structured bonds is almost impossible. Do you believe, Fuzzy Optimization can be applied in all decision making cases?

@ Roland Iosif Moraru, I think you have raised a very good question. I endorse it, “Combining properly art and science in a decision-making process is a science or is it art?. I would say it is science.

Depending on the situation, the decision making could be a science or could be an art or could combine both with varying ratios. When you see a sudden stampede (act of mass impulse among a crowd of people in which the crowd collectively begins running with no clear direction or purpose), it is an art to make the correct decision based on nearly zero data. When you make a decision about never buying hot dogs or sausages of a certain brand after working in their industrial food plant, then this is science. In both cases, we see a link to the degree of certainty & this varies. The area in between can be exemplified when you make a decision to spend your vacation in one of 2 countries that you never visited before but you have friends who visited them (so pros and cons are listed ; the decision will be mixed scientific/artistic with varying shades). 

@ Dr. Nizar Matar, thanks for joining and giving valuable input as well as sharing good link. You have given examples to support your arguments, I like that. It is true, there is degree of certainty & this varies, perfect.

@ Roland Iosif Moraru, Excellent remarks. I endorse that, “Even individual decision-making involves a systematic and structured thinking”.

Dear Asmat, I would paraphrase sentence by Qefsere Doko as: depending on brain, decision making can be art or science.

Dear Asmat. What is pure science - it's just a theory?. However, when making decisions must take into account previous decisions, and it already and practice. Moreover scientific reasoning - is the logic. 

But I like that you all pay attention and give their comments to each response.

Dear Beata,

Thanks for joining. I appreciate your contribution.

Dear Asmat,

in some fields youth has more experience than older people and therefore more competent in decision making in those fields.  

You can allow youth to make decisions and they will learn from the consequences of their decisions.

@Roland, your interesting additional remark:

"I propose a quesiton within the question: Combining properly art and science in a decision-making process is a science or is it art?"

Its not science nor art, it´s using both.

Respected @ Vyacheslav Lyashenko,

I appreciate your active and generous contribution. Such feedback keeps us moving in the right direction.  You have added good points again in the discussion. I agree with you, “Scientific reasoning is the logic”.

You are right to take note; I give response to every contributor because all of you, share your valuable time, knowledge, experience and thoughts. It is really an amazing experience due to greatness and kindness of all of you.  Therefore, I acknowledge every contributor’s participation.

 @ Marcel M. Lambrechts, brilliant remarks. I fully agree with you and endorse your statement.

In some fields youth has more experience than older people and therefore more competent in decision making in those fields. You can allow youth to make decisions and they will learn from the consequences of their decisions. Perfect.

@Hanno Krieger, thanks for addressing question raised by @ Roland Iosif Moraru. Indeed, we are learning from each other, let us continue it.

Dear sir, thank you so much for a nice question. As a faculty member of Business Administration i know that decision making can be possible under three condition

1. Decision making under certainity. by mathematical approach (In this case decision may be science)

2. Decision making under risk , mathematical approach ((In this case decision may be science)

3. Decision making under uncertainity . there is no calculation apporoach ((In this case decision may be Art)

So, finally my personal observation regarding decision making, it is both secince and art.

Dear Md. Mizanur Rahman,

Welcome and thanks for contributing with a nice and detailed reply.  I really love your clear and objective reply.  I see under two stated conditions, decision making is treated as science whereas in one condition, it is considered as art. Perfect.

@ Ahed Jumah Alkhatib, I agree with you, decision making is a process that involves reasoning.But don’t you think reasoning itself is a science not art?

 The decision it is just  what we feel in that moment, what we want. Our life it is  a decision. All   we do it is a decision. I do not think that this is an art but  we make conections and after we know  what we must want ! 

But what is the definiton of 'art' in this framework? More than competence, and if so, in what way? 

Decision making is a consious act of thinking, reasoning and imagination ( or instinctive act when it comes to non-human living creatures, since all living creatures make decisions some how) based on an information avaliable in a particular time oriented towrds a sought goal(s). Decisions made on wrong information or on right information but wrong or lack of tools of correct reasoning fail to reach to the sought goals properly, how scientific or artistic the presentation may look. It is therefore artistic as it requires the imagination and intellect of the human mind and at the same time scientific as it requires correct information and correct tools of reasoning to make decisions.

We should distinguish between Decision and Decision-making.

What is Decision? ‘It involves a choice of one or more alternatives from among a set of possibilities, the choice being based on how well each alternative measures up to a set of predefined criteria’(Robert, 2009 )

But what about Decision-making? As I pointed already, the types of decision-making situations that may require analysis are certainty, risk, and uncertainty (in order of increasing complexity).

Depending on the problem, can be seen as art or science. In problems with known outcomes, should be regarded as a science. When dealing with new situations, then art must prevail, giving space for instinct when well trained.

Dear Asmat

The use of decision support system in making decisions does not make decsionmaking a science. A painter also uses theoretical knoweldge in painting better. A sculptor also does the same. Some people study extensively about how to live a better and happy married life. Does that make happy marriage, painting, etc.science?

Decision making can be personal, public or business related. Science can help decision makers to make a choice. For example, if it is related to personal health, scientific inputs from a physician can help an individual to make an appropriate decision. Similarly if it is related to environmental management, advice of an environmental scientist can help to decide and implement an environmental policy!    

I would call it both art and science.  In thank that in most cases, it is an art as  there is no scientific analysis involved . Most decisions are intuitive and are made based on past experiences automatically.

We can refer to wikipedia page for definition. Here is a summary:

Logical decision-making is an important part of all science-based professions, where specialists apply their knowledge in a given area to make informed decisions  However, that in situations with higher time pressure experts use intuitive decision-making rather than structured approaches.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decision_making

A few evidences from Harvard University

1-There is course in Harvard named "Art and science of decision making"

2-Results of a debate in Harvard business scholl on the same subject

Many concluded that it is both, depending on such things as the level of complexity, stage of the decision-making process, the purpose of the decision, the context in which the choice is made, whether we are deciding or rationalizing the decisions we've already made, or our personal makeup.

 I have also attached a TED video (the art and science of decision making) which could be interesting

http://www.extension.harvard.edu/courses/art-science-decision-making

http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/6475.html

http://www.tedxsalford.com/decision_making

@Asmat

"Can you  make use of art in partial differential equations?"

May be not but you can certainly make use of mathematical equations in art. Example:

The art of mathematics: Scientists translares complex equations into 3D sculptures:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2677830/The-art-mathematics-Scientist-translates-complex-equations-3D-sculptures.html

This Is What Math Equations Look Like in 3-D:

http://www.wired.com/2014/06/math-equations-models/#slide-id-1115231

@Hanno

"I´ve problems with your definition of art. I´ve learned, that art is a process, which is not neccesarily founded on scientific cognitions. So in my opinion art and science should be distinguished."

Let us first of all see what is the definition of a process:

1-A series of actions, changes, or functions bringing about a result

2-A series of operations performed in the making or treatment of a product

3-To put through the steps of a prescribed procedure

4-To prepare, treat, or convert by subjecting to a special process

5-Biology An outgrowth of tissue; a projecting part: a bony process.

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/process

Have you really not heard of terms like: chemical process, evolutionary process, growth process, decay process, expansion process, conservation process, reaction process, destruction process...?

Considering the defintion of process: a series of actions, changes, or functions bringing about a result, we can immediately see that the way we do science itself is based on a process:

Observation → induction → hypothesis → test hypothesis by experiment → proof/disproof → knowledge.

So, yes science is a process and the process of science is the scientific method.

Decision making, is a science as far as calculations of the optimal solution is dome without any uncertainty.

It is an art if the optimaztion leads to an uncertain result, and the decision shoud be based on an trained intuition!

@Issam,

nice to get these informations. If you understand "process" just as proceeding or course of actions, and that is what I wanted to say, you can understand my statement.

Rationally decision-making process involves both perception and reflection i.e. both art and science and that each is valuable. It is an art when decision makers articulate their values. Science of decision analysis is used to evaluate 'what we can do" in the light of "what we know" and "what we want". Decision analysis provides the logic and analytic tools to find the best choice in complex situations. It takes a combination of arts and science to develop and deploy a decision making process that build in alignment and commitment to action. 

@ Ana-Maria Ciobotaru, I agree with you, decisions are affected by what we feel in that moment and what we want. I would like to add:decisions are greatly affected by available resources, do you agree?

@Marcel M. Lambrechts, you have raised a very nice and important question. I endorse that, what is the definition of 'art'?

@Dejenie A. Lakew, thanks for joining. You have indeed enriched this discussion with very valid arguments, Decisions made on wrong information or on right information but wrong or lack of tools of correct reasoning fail to reach to the sought goals properly.  I fear, imagination and reasoning are contradicting to each other. What do you say?

@Marcel and Asmat,

I agree to clearly to discuss "what is the definition of 'art?" in the context of this question.

 @Mahmoud Omid, thanks for citing a good reference.

@Alexandre Beluco, I think true outcome can never be known whether it is filed of science or art.

@Debi, decision support system (DSS) does not make decisions rather it assists to choose best and optimum option. Decisions are always made by humans. You have given a good example, I think it is science, don’t you think so, please?

@Golam Kibria, well said. I endorse your reply, “Science can help decision makers to make a choice” but the question remains there, is decision making art or science?

@Behrouz Ahmadi-Nedushan, I am really thankful to you for providing detailed replies and good links.

@Issam Sinjab, once again very intelligent and valuable contribution from your side.  Also thanks for addressing Hanno’s question.  I have general comments on your concluding remarks; you said, yes science is a process, then question rises, what is the product of science, please? Because every process leads to a product, what do you say?

Not all decisions carry the same consequences, and the approach of one person in decision making may be totally different or opposite of another person in a similar situation

Respected @Costas Drossos , do you think calculations make  decision a science? What about psychology, no calculation nor calculus is involved but it is a purely scientific discipline.

@Hanno Krieger, I have commented on @Issam concluding remarks and now waiting for his intelligent feedback.

Respected @Prof. Kamal, many thanks for keeping the discussion alive.

@ YOGESH CHANDRA TRIPATHI, thanks for your impressive contribution. You are saying both perception and reflection i.e. both art and science. I interpret first part or your argument as:  perception is art. I think, perception is always developed on the bases of certain evidence, and don’t you think evidence itself is science not art?

The unifying in the discussion may be the following.

Art - a figurative interpretation of reality (Wikipedia in Russian http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/% D0% 98% D1% 81% D0% BA% D1% 83% D1% 81% D1% 81% D1% 82% D0% B2% D0% BE)

Science uses a formalized way.

At the same time one of the functions of art - imagination, which is also important in science. Art provides a way to use non-verbal imagination, without the limitations imposed by language.

@Vyacheslav Lyashenko, brilliant contribution. I agree with you “Science uses a formalized way. At the same time one of the functions of art - imagination, which is also important in science. Art provides a way to use non-verbal imagination, without the limitations imposed by language”.

Dear YOGESH. Knowing the solutions adopted by the other person must take this into account. Yes, the decision may be different, but it will be interconnected, taking into account previous experience.

@ Asmat. Continuing the idea of the role of imagination and formalization of images in science and art can give examples of chemistry, physics and mathematics. Then it is logical to assume that science is also a part of the art (beauty theories, formulas).

in my opinion the decision maker is science and art both

Its a combination of both art and science to differnt extent in various situation..

I would say that decision taken by Heart can be named as a Art n by Brain ad a Science..

@Asmat

the product of science is knowledge the product of art is artwork. Both art and science share a somewhat similar process in reaching their final product . This is why I consider mathematical equation a beautifull piece of art. When you try to explain a physical phenomenon by expressing it in mathematical form, a mathematical model is your final product , to me that is a beautifull artwork. Whether I look at a mathematical equation or a portrait my reaction is the same: what a beauty. I can understand that not many people share my views and feelings so let me finish by sharing with you a quote by Bertrand Russell who express this beautifully:

"It seems to me now that mathematics is capable of an artistic excellence as great as that of any music, perhaps greater; not because the pleasure it gives (although very pure) is comparable, either in intensity or in the number of people who feel it, to that of music, but because it gives in absolute perfection that combination, characteristic of great art, of godlike freedom, with the sense of inevitable destiny; because, in fact, it constructs an ideal world where everything is perfect but true."

Bertrand Russell (1872-1970),Autobiography, George Allen and Unwin Ltd, 1967, v1, p158.

"Mathematics, rightly viewed, possesses not only truth, but supreme beauty -- a beauty cold and austere, like that of sculpture, without appeal to any part of our weaker nature, without the gorgeous trappings of painting or music, yet sublimely pure, and capable of a stern perfection such as only the greatest art can show."

May I just add that mathematics is both elegant and creative art and since mathematics is the language of science then science too is both elegant and creative art. Put it this way: mathematics to science is like an elegantly dressed beautiful lady:))

@Vyacheslav Lyashenko, beautiful arguments presented by you. I think, art has become part of science.  

@ Fadia W Alazawi, thanks for joining. I appreciate your view point that decision making is art as well as science.

@Roland Iosif Moraru, you are right to note that still we have divided opinion.  But it encouraging to see that discussion is moving towards logical corridors.

@ Dhara Chavda, I agree with you, generally it is said that decision taken by heart is art and by brain is science. I appreciate your linear answer.

@Issam Sinjab, thanks for nice and generous contributions. I appreciate your arguments. I think technology is the product of science.  Please see, http://www.project2061.org/publications/sfaa/online/chap3.htm

especially see this section if you have time, Technology Draws on Science and Contributes to It

@Roland Iosif Moraru, thanks for very interesting remarks based on quite intelligent observation. You are right to note.  Yes, that seems true.

Dear Asmat, 

I do not think they contradict, instead complemented for better results. Imagination is our intellect's capacity of thinking, investigating, searching  and extrapolating what can possiblly be sought and decided and reasoning not only as putting reasons on our decissions but as a proper and logical way of argument made on the information to help us solidify and affirm our decissions scientifically ( not to reach to a decission arbitrarily ). 

@Dejenie A. Lakew,

You have said very wise words. I endorse, not to reach to a decision arbitrarily.  I love that.Perfcet!

@Asmat Ali

"technology is the product of science"

I agree, but what is technology?

In an earlier post I said that science is a process and the process of science is the scientific method:

Observation → induction → hypothesis → test hypothesis by experiment → proof/disproof → knowledge.

And so the the end product of science is knowledge. Now technology is knowledge, a special type of knowledge called 'organized knowledge'. It is called organized knowledge because it is used for pracical purposes:

"technology is organized knowledge for practical purposes"

---Mesthene, The role of technology in society.

@ Issam Sinjab, brilliant reply. I agree with your convincing arguments. Thanks for reading, responding and engaging.

Dear Asmat,

Decision taking is both; art and science.  This depends on many factors, such as the level of complexity, the purpose of the decision, and the context in which the choice is made.

True Dr Kamal; nothing is simplistically absolute. Ideally we all like to be both efficient and precise when making decisions. However many decisions made even after long deliberation and analysis are seen fraught with ambiguity in context, content and timing. Many times we also take  correct decisions based on our intuition, experience of life and inner self.

Respected Mahfuz Judeh,

I appreciate your contribution to this discussion. Let me put it another way, is it more science or art?

Dear Yogesh,

Thanks for explaining your view point. You are right, “many decisions made even after long deliberation and analysis are seen fraught with ambiguity in context, content and timing. Many times we also take correct decisions based on our intuition, experience of life and inner self”.

The reasons may include external factor i.e. factors that are beyond our control.

Respected Prof. Kamal,

Thanks for reading, responding, encouraging as well as engaging.