The logical foundations of statistical inference

Author(s)

• Kyburg, Henry Ely

Bibliographic Information

The logical foundations of statistical inference

Henry E. Kyburg, Jr

（Synthese library, v. 65）

Reidel, c1974

• : cloth
• : pbk

Note

Includes bibliographical references and index

Description and Table of Contents

Volume

: cloth ISBN 9789027703309

Description

Everyone knows it is easy to lie with statistics. It is important then to be able to tell a statistical lie from a valid statistical inference. It is a relatively widely accepted commonplace that our scientific knowledge is not certain and incorrigible, but merely probable, subject to refinement, modifi- cation, and even overthrow. The rankest beginner at a gambling table understands that his decisions must be based on mathematical ex- pectations - that is, on utilities weighted by probabilities. It is widely held that the same principles apply almost all the time in the game of life. If we turn to philosophers, or to mathematical statisticians, or to probability theorists for criteria of validity in statistical inference, for the general principles that distinguish well grounded from ill grounded generalizations and laws, or for the interpretation of that probability we must, like the gambler, take as our guide in life, we find disagreement, confusion, and frustration. We might be prepared to find disagreements on a philosophical and theoretical level (although we do not find them in the case of deductive logic) but we do not expect, and we may be surprised to find, that these theoretical disagreements lead to differences in the conclusions that are regarded as 'acceptable' in the practice of science and public affairs, and in the conduct of business.

Table of Contents

I / The Probability Framework.- II / Classical Statistical Theory.- III / R. A. Fisher: Likelihood and Fiducial Inference.- IV / Decision Theory.- V / Subjective and Logical Approaches.- VI / Comparison of Approaches.- VII / The Language: Syntax.- VIII / Rational Corpora.- IX / Randomness.- X / Probability.- XI / Conditional Probability.- XII / Interpretations of Probability.- XIII / Bayesian Inference.- XIV / The Fiducial Argument.- XV / Confidence Methods.- XVI / Epistemological Considerations.- Appendix / The Mathematical Background.

Volume

: pbk ISBN 9789027704306

Description

Everyone knows it is easy to lie with statistics. It is important then to be able to tell a statistical lie from a valid statistical inference. It is a relatively widely accepted commonplace that our scientific knowledge is not certain and incorrigible, but merely probable, subject to refinement, modifi cation, and even overthrow. The rankest beginner at a gambling table understands that his decisions must be based on mathematical ex pectations - that is, on utilities weighted by probabilities. It is widely held that the same principles apply almost all the time in the game of life. If we turn to philosophers, or to mathematical statisticians, or to probability theorists for criteria of validity in statistical inference, for the general principles that distinguish well grounded from ill grounded generalizations and laws, or for the interpretation of that probability we must, like the gambler, take as our guide in life, we find disagreement, confusion, and frustration. We might be prepared to find disagreements on a philosophical and theoretical level (although we do not find them in the case of deductive logic) but we do not expect, and we may be surprised to find, that these theoretical disagreements lead to differences in the conclusions that are regarded as 'acceptable' in the practice of science and public affairs, and in the conduct of business.

Table of Contents

I / The Probability Framework.- II / Classical Statistical Theory.- III / R. A. Fisher: Likelihood and Fiducial Inference.- IV / Decision Theory.- V / Subjective and Logical Approaches.- VI / Comparison of Approaches.- VII / The Language: Syntax.- VIII / Rational Corpora.- IX / Randomness.- X / Probability.- XI / Conditional Probability.- XII / Interpretations of Probability.- XIII / Bayesian Inference.- XIV / The Fiducial Argument.- XV / Confidence Methods.- XVI / Epistemological Considerations.- Appendix / The Mathematical Background.

by "Nielsen BookData"

Details

• NCID: BA04541017
• ISBN:
  • 9027703302
  • 9027704309
• LCCN: 72092530
• Country Code: ne
• Title Language Code: eng
• Text Language Code: eng
• Place of Publication: Dordrecht ; Boston
• Pages/Volumes: ix, 427 p.
• Size: 23 cm
• Classification:
  • LCC : QA273.4
  • DC : 519.5
  • NDLC : MA211
• Subject Headings:
  • LCSH : Probabilities
  • LCSH : Mathematical statistics
• Parent Bibliography ID:
  • BA00017801