Anthropic Bias: Observation Selection Effects in Science and Philosophy (Studies in Philosophy)
Language: English
Published by Routledge, New York & London, 2002
- First Edition
- Hardcover
- Used
Seller: The Great Catsby's Rare Books, Edmonton, AB, CanadaThe Great Catsby's Rare Books
AbeBooks seller since October 16, 2017
Condition: Used - Fine
£ 533.04
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
A fine copy with full number line, indicating first printing. Signed by Nick Bostrom to the front endpaper to philosopher John Leslie. It is not entirely clear what the two authors' relationship is aside from this work furthering progress on the Carter-Leslie Doomsday Argument; the mathematical and metaphysical implications of overpopulation. Alas, still a wonderful and scarce presentation copy of Bostrom's work with a great association. Book is about fine with some light signs of use. Brown cloth octavo, 224 pages, gilt titles to spine, no jacket as issued. Satisfaction guaranteed. Additional photos always available on request. Shipped in a fitted, padded box.
Seller Inventory # ABE-1714593941630
- Title
- Anthropic Bias: Observation Selection Effects in Science and Philosophy (Studies in Philosophy)
- Author
- Nick Bostrom
- Publisher
- Routledge, New York & London
- Publication year
- 2002
- Condition
- Fine
- Signed
- Inscribed by Author(s)
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Language
- English
- ISBN 10
- 0415938589
- ISBN 13
- 9780415938587
- Edition
- 1st Edition
- Series
- Book 27 of 47: Studies in Philosophy
- Seller catalogs
- philosophy, Signed
Anthropic Bias explores how to reason when you suspect that your evidence is biased by "observation selection effects"--that is, evidence that has been filtered by the precondition that there be some suitably positioned observer to "have" the evidence. This conundrum--sometimes alluded to as "the anthropic principle," "self-locating belief," or "indexical information"--turns out to be a surprisingly perplexing and intellectually stimulating challenge, one abounding with important implications for many areas in science and philosophy.
There are the philosophical thought experiments and paradoxes: the Doomsday Argument; Sleeping Beauty; the Presumptuous Philosopher; Adam & Eve; the Absent-Minded Driver; the Shooting Room.
And there are the applications in contemporary science: cosmology ("How many universes are there?", "Why does the universe appear fine-tuned for life?"); evolutionary theory ("How improbable was the evolution of intelligent life on our planet?"); the problem of time's arrow ("Can it be given a thermodynamic explanation?"); quantum physics ("How can the many-worlds theory be tested?"); game-theory problems with imperfect recall ("How to model them?"); even traffic analysis ("Why is the 'next lane' faster?").
Anthropic Bias argues that the same principles are at work across all these domains. And it offers a synthesis: a mathematically explicit theory of observation selection effects that attempts to meet scientific needs while steering clear of philosophical paradox.
"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
"About the title" may belong to another edition of this title.
The Great Catsby's Rare Books
Edmonton, AB, Canada
AbeBooks seller since October 16, 2017
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The Great Catsby's Rare Books
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