| Betting on Theories Contributor(s): Maher, Patrick (Author), Skyrms, Brian (Editor), Adams, Ernest W. (Editor) |
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ISBN: 052141850X ISBN-13: 9780521418508 Publisher: Cambridge University Press OUR PRICE: $133.00 Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats Published: February 1993 Annotation: This book is a major new contribution to decision theory, focusing on the question of when it is rational to accept scientific theories. The author examines both Bayesian decision theory and confirmation theory, refining and elaborating the views of Ramsey and Savage. He argues that the most solid foundation for confirmation theory is to be found in decision theory, and he provides a decision-theoretic derivation of principles for how many probabilities should be revised over time. Professor Maher defines a notion of accepting a hypothesis, and then shows that it is not reducible to probability and that it is needed to deal with some important questions in the philosophy of science. A Bayesian decision-theoretic account of rational acceptance is provided together with a proof of the foundations for this theory. A final chapter shows how this account can be used to cast light on such vexing issues as verisimilitude and scientific realism. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Mathematics | Probability & Statistics - General - Philosophy - Science | Philosophy & Social Aspects |
| Dewey: 519.542 |
| LCCN: 92013817 |
| Series: Cambridge Studies in Probability, Induction, and Decision Theory |
| Physical Information: 0.88" H x 6" W x 9" (1.42 lbs) 324 pages |