The Place of Probability in Science: In Honor of Ellery Eells (1953-2006).

(EELLS, Ellery 1953-2006) EELLS, Ellery & James H. FETZER (eds.):

ISBN 10: 9048136148 / ISBN 13: 9789048136148

Published by Springer, Dordrecht, 2010

About this Item

368 pp. Original laminated boards. Near Fine.

Boston Studies in the Philosophy and History of Science, 284.

Science aims at the discovery of general principles of special kinds that are applicable for the explanation and prediction of the phenomena of the world in the form of theories and laws. When the phenomena themselves happen to be general, the principles involved assume the form of theories; and when they are particular, they assume the form of general laws. Theories themselves are sets of laws and definitions that apply to a common domain, which makes laws indispensable to science. Understanding science thus depends upon understanding the nature of theories and laws, the logical structure of explanations and predictions based upon them, and the principles of inference and decision that apply to theories and laws. Laws and theories can differ in their form as well as in their content. The laws of quantum mechanics are indeterministic (or probabilistic), for example, while those of classical mechanics are deterministic (or universal) instead. The history of science reflects an increasing role for probabilities as properties of the world but also as measures of evidential support and as degrees of subjective belief. Our purpose is to clarify and illuminate the place of probability in science.

Table of contents (14 chapters)
ALTERNATIVE CONCEPTIONS OF PROBABILITY
Probabilistic Causality and Causal Generalizations
Ellery Eells
Pages 3-44
Probabilistic Causality and Causal Generalizations
Daniel M. Hausman
Pages 47-63
The Possibility of Infinitesimal Chances
Martin Barrett
Pages 65-79
Probabilistic Metaphysics
James H. Fetzer
Pages 81-98
THE OBJECTIVITY OF MACRO-PROBABILITIES
Chance and Necessity
Wolfgang Spohn
Pages 101-131
Evolutionary Theory and the Reality of Macro-Probabilities
Elliott Sober
Pages 133-161
Is Evolution An Optimizing Process?
James H. Fetzer
Pages 163-177
PROBABILITIES AS EXPLANATORY PROPERTIES
Propensity Trajectories, Preemption, and the Identity of Events
Ellery Eells
Pages 181-199
Miraculous Consilience of Quantum Mechanics
Malcolm R. Forster
Pages 201-228
Probability and Objectivity in Deterministic and Indeterministic Situations
James H. Fetzer
Pages 229-244
PROBABILITIES IN INFERENCE AND DECISION
How Bayesian Confirmation Theory Handles the Paradox of the Ravens
Branden Fitelson, James Hawthorne
Pages 247-275
Learning to Network
Brian Skyrms, Robin Pemantle
Pages 277-287
Probabilities in Decision Rules
Paul Weirich
Pages 289-319
Propensities and Frequencies
James H. Fetzer
Pages 323-351.

Seller Inventory # 25495

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Place of Probability in Science: In Honor of Ellery Eells (1953-2006).
• Publisher: Springer, Dordrecht
• Publication Date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 9048136148
• ISBN 13: 9789048136148
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Near Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket

About this title

Synopsis

Science aims at the discovery of general principles of special kinds that are applicable for the explanation and prediction of the phenomena of the world in the form of theories and laws. When the phenomena themselves happen to be general, the principlesinvolved assume the form of theories; and when they are p- ticular, they assume the form of general laws. Theories themselves are sets of laws and de nitions that apply to a common domain, which makes laws indispensable to science. Understanding science thus depends upon understanding the nature of theories and laws, the logical structure of explanations and predictions based upon them, and the principles of inference and decision that apply to theories and laws. Laws and theories can differ in their form as well as in their content. The laws of quantum mechanics are indeterministic (or probabilistic), for example, while those of classical mechanics are deterministic (or universal) instead. The history of science re ects an increasing role for probabilities as properties of the world but also as measures of evidential support and as degrees of subjective belief. Our purpose is to clarify and illuminate the place of probability in science.