Probability (Key Concepts in Philosophy) - Softcover

Rowbottom, Dr Darrell P.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0745652573 ISBN 13: 9780745652573

Publisher: Polity, 2015

Synopsis

When a doctor tells you there’s a one per cent chance that an operation will result in your death, or a scientist claims that his theory is probably true, what exactly does that mean? Understanding probability is clearly very important if we are to make good theoretical and practical choices. In this engaging and highly accessible introduction to the philosophy of probability, Darrell Rowbottom takes the reader on a journey through all the major interpretations of probability, with reference to real-world situations. In lucid prose, he explores the many fallacies of probabilistic reasoning, such as the ‘gambler’s fallacy’ and the ‘inverse fallacy’, and shows how we can avoid falling into these traps by using the interpretations presented. He also illustrates the relevance of the interpretation of probability across disciplinary boundaries, by examining which interpretations of probability are appropriate in diverse areas such as quantum mechanics, game theory and genetics.  Using entertaining dialogues to draw out the key issues at stake, this unique book will appeal to students and scholars across philosophy, the social sciences and the natural sciences.

About this title

About the Author

Darrell P. Rowbottom is Professor of Philosophy at Lingnan University, Hong Kong, and Associate Editor of the Australasian Journal of Philosophy

Edition details

• Publisher: Polity
• Publication date: 2015
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0745652573
• ISBN 13: 9780745652573
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 188