Final answer:
The statement is true; when a decision maker has full knowledge of the outcome, they are making a decision under certainty. In practice, such scenarios are rare, and decisions are often made under uncertainty. Discussions related to determinism and free will are theoretical frameworks exploring these concepts further.
Step-by-step explanation:
True, if a decision maker knows for sure which state of nature will occur, they are indeed making a decision under certainty. This is because the decision maker has full knowledge of the outcomes and can thus predict the consequences of their actions without ambiguity. Decisions made under certainty imply that there is no variability in the potential outcomes, and the decision can be optimally made based solely on the known facts.
However, in reality, such situations are rare. Most decisions, especially in the context of state actions or human behavior, are made under conditions of uncertainty or risk. In these cases, decision makers must rely on probabilities and informed predictions, using available data and strategic analysis, rather than certainty. The concept of determinism comes into play in many theoretical scenarios, such as those posited to explore the existence of free will versus determinism—whether our choices are predetermined by a series of causal events or whether we have the freedom to make choices independent of fate or destiny.
Lastly, when discussing actions and predictions it's important to acknowledge that not all events are certain or deterministic; some follow natural laws and patterns, and others can be affected by a myriad of factors, including human free will and unexpected variables.