Philosophical Foundations of Probability Theory (International library of philosophy)

First published in 1982, __Philosophical Foundations of Probability Theory__ starts with the uses we make of the concept in everyday life and then examines the rival theories that seek to account for these applications. It offers a critical exposition of the major philosophical theories of probability, with special attention given to the metaphysical and epistemological assumptions and implications of each. The Classical Theory suggests probability is simply the ratio of favorable cases to all equi-possible cases: it is this theory that is relied on by gamblers and by most non-specialists. The A Priori Theory, on the other hand, describes probability as a logical relation between statements based on evidence. The Relative Frequency theories locate it not in logic but among empirical rates of occurrence in the real world, while the Subjectivist Theory identifies probability with the degree of a person’s belief in a proposition. Each of these types of theory is examined in turn, and the treatment is unified by the use of running examples and parallel analyses of each theory. The final chapter includes a summary and the author’s conclusions. This book is an essential read for scholars and researchers of Philosophy. Cover Half Title Title Copyright Original Title Original Copyright Dedication Contents Preface I What is Probability? 1 What is a Theory of Probability? 2 Types of Probability Theories 3 Schemes of Classification of Theories 4 Conclusion II The Classical Theory of Probability 1 The Prehistory of Probability 2 The Definition of Probability 3 Sources of Initial Probability 4 Probability of Single Events 5 Probability of Repetitive Kinds of Events 6 Absolute Probability 7 Physical Chance 8 The Metaphysical Status of P 9 The Epistemological Status of P 10 Rationality of Probability Behaviour 11 Chief Criticisms 12 Chief Virtues III A Priori Theories of Probability 1 Basic Ideas of A Priori Theories 2 Chief Proponents 3 Definition of Probability 4 The Source of Initial Probabilities 5 Probability of Single Events 6 Probability of Repetitive Kinds of Events 7 Physical Chance and Absolute Probability 8 The Metaphysical Status of P 9 The Epistemological Status of P 10 The Rationality of Probability Behavior 11 Chief Criticisms of A Priori Theories 12 Chief Virtues of A Priori Theories IV Relative Frequency Theories of Probability 1 Basic Ideas 2 Definition of Probability 3 Source of Initial Probabilities 4 The Probability of a Single Event 5 Probability of Repetitive Kinds of Events 6 Absolute Probability and Physical Chance 7 The Metaphysical Status of P 8 The Epistemological Status of P 9 Rationality of Probability Behavior 10 Chief Criticisms of RF Theories 11 Chief Virtues of Relative Frequency Theories V The Subjectivistic Theory of Probability 1 Definition of Probability 2 Sources of Initial Probabilities 3 Probability of Single Events 4 Probability of Repetitive Kinds of Events 5 Absolute Probability and Physical Chance 6 The Metaphysical Status of P 7 The Epistemological Status of P 8 The Rationality of Probability Behavior 9 Chief Criticisms of Subjectivistic Theories 10 Chief Virtues of Subjectivistic Theories VI Conclusion Notes Bibliography Index This introduction to the philosophy of probability starts with the uses we make of the concept in everyday life and then examines the rival theories that seek to account for these applications. It offers a critical exposition of the major philosophical theories of probability, with special attention given to the metaphysical and epistemological assumptions and implications of each.