Scientific Reasoning: The Bayesian Approach

by Peter Urbach and Colin Howson

Book Overview

In this clearly reasoned defense of Bayes's Theorem -- that probability can be used to reasonably justify scientific theories -- Colin Howson and Peter Urbach examine the way in which scientists... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0812692357
• ISBN13: 9780812692358
• Release Date: January 1993
• Publisher: Open Court
• Length: 492 Pages
• Weight: 1.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.3" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

An absolute "must-read" for all scientists and students of science

Now in its third edition, Scientific Reasoning: The Bayesian Approach, is a basic introduction to the philosophy that scientific reasoning is, and should be, conducted in accordance with the axioms of probability. Called the Bayesian view, after a theorem first proven by Thomas Bayes in the late eighteenth century, has recently gained increased standing as a valuable methodology for examining scientific evidence. Scientific Reasoning explains the elements of probability calculus that are relevant to Bayesian methods and argues that probability calculus should be understood as a form of logic. Accessibly written, even to readers who understand only the basics of probability or calculus, Scientific Reasoning is a solid explanation of how Bayesian theory offers a unified and highly satisfactory accounting of scientific procedure, and is an absolute "must-read" for all scientists and students of science.

A great contribution to Scientific Method

Colin Howson continues the importance of the London School of Economics in international philosophy of science with this learned overview of the Bayesian theory of scientific confirmation- that probability can be used to reasonably justify scientific theories. Reconfirming such advantages as the value of novel evidence, uniquely recognised in the Bayesian approach, and answering such criticisms as the problem of old evidence, this is the definitive work on the philosphically popular Bayesian probabalistic theory of scientific confirmation.