 The two central concepts in decision theory are preferences and prospects (or equivalently, options). Roughly speaking, when we (in this entry) say that an agent “prefers” the “option” \(A\) over \(B\) we mean that the agent takes \(A\) to be more desirable or choice-worthy than \(B\). This rough definition makes clear that preference is a comparative attitude. Beyond this, there is room for argument about what preferences over options actually amount to, or in other words, what it is about an agent (perhaps oneself) that concerns us when we talk about his/her preferences over options. This section considers some elementary issues of interpretation that set the stage for introducing (in the next section) the decision tables and expected utility rule that for many is the familiar subject matter of decision theory. Further interpretive questions regarding preferences and prospects will be addressed later, as they arise.