Revisiting Fuzzy and Linguistic Decision Making: Scenarios and Challenges for Making Wiser Decisions in a Better Way

This article provides a brief tour through the main fuzzy and linguistic decision-making trends, studies, methodologies, and models developed in the last 50 years. Fuzzy and linguistic decision-making approaches allow to address complex real-world decision problems where humans exhibit vagueness, imprecision, and/or use natural language to assess decision alternatives, criteria, etc. The aim of this article is threefold. First, the main fuzzy set theory and computing with words-based representation paradigms of decision information, with their different levels of expressive richness and complexity, are reviewed. Second, three core decision-making frameworks are examined: 1) multicriteria decision making; 2) group consensus-driven decision making; and 3) multiperson multicriteria decision making. Third, the article discusses new complex decision-making frameworks that have emerged in recent years, where decisions are guided by the wisdom of the crowd: their associated challenges are highlighted and considerations on much needed key guidelines for future research in the field are provided.

Automated summary

The article provides an overview of fuzzy and linguistic decision-making trends, studies, methodologies, and models developed in the last 50 years. It discusses core decision-making frameworks and new complex decision-making frameworks that have emerged in recent years. The challenges associated with these frameworks and key guidelines for future research in the field are highlighted.