Reckoning with Risk: Learning to Live with Uncertainty - Softcover

Gigerenzer, Gerd

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0713995122 ISBN 13: 9780713995121

Publisher: Allen Lane, 2002

Synopsis

Are ordinary people idiots when reasoning about risk? At the beginning of the 20th century, H G Wells predicted that statistical thinking would be as necessary for citizenship in a technological world as the ability to read and write. Yet, a century on, most of us, from weather forecasters to George W Bush, seem to have no idea of how to reason about uncertainties. Gigerenzer's book is the first to offer a treatment for the 'disease' of statistical illiteracy. Aimed at helping us understand risks in the real world, it shows how proper understading of uncertainties can make the difference between hope and despair. In tradition of the Penguins HOW TO LIE WITH STATISTICS (200,000 sold) and STATISTICS WITHOUT TEARS (150,000 sold).

About this title

Review:

"This is an important book, full of relevant examples and worrying case histories. By the end of it, the reader has been presented with a powerful set of tools for understanding statistics...anyone who wants to take responsibly for their own medical choices should read it" - New Scientist

Synopsis:

In the beginning of the 20th century, the father of modern science fiction, H.G. Wells, predicted that statistical thinking would be as necessary for citizenship in a technological world as the ability to read and write. Yet, a century on, most of us, from TV weather forecasters to the American President, seem to have no idea of how to reason about uncertainties. This volume offers a treatment for the "disease" of statistical illiteracy. Aimed at helping us understand risks in the real world, it shows how a proper understanding of uncertainties can make the difference between hope and despair.

About this edition

• Publisher: Allen Lane
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0713995122
• ISBN 13: 9780713995121
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 320