The normative force of Bayesian inference is based on the existence of a uniquely rational degree of belief in evidence E given a hypothesis H, that is, p(E|H). To motivate this claim, think of what a Bayesian inference in science typically looks like. There is a competing set of hypotheses that correspond to different values of an unknown parameter, such as the chance θ ∈ [0, 1] of a coin to c...

The Universily Senate met this week. The discussion centered around the proposed Interdisciplinary Doctorate in Admislralive Theological Semantics for the Fall, 1974 semester. Seven bills were sent back to committee for revision. Three measures were broughl up and tabled. A dynamic speech by undergraduate senator Hare Kirschna brought out the fact that the Chairman of the Academic Changes Counc...

Epistemology is the study of knowledge and justified belief. Belief is thus central to epistemology. It comes in a qualitative form, as when Sophia believes that Vienna is the capital of Austria, and a quantitative form, as when Sophia's degree of belief that Vienna is the capital of Austria is at least twice her degree of belief that tomorrow it will be sunny in Vienna. Formal epistemology, as...

1. Referential indeterminacy (for instance, indeterminacy as to what a singular term stands for or what a general term has as its extension) is a widespread phenomenon. Ordinary vagueness is a special case of indeterminacy: for instance, it is indeterminate whether the word ‘rich’ has in its extension certain moderately rich people, and it is indeterminate precisely which atoms are parts of the...

Subjective Probability: The Real Thing is the last book written by the late Richard Jeffrey, a key proponent of the Bayesian interpretation of probability. Bayesians hold that probability is a mental notion: saying that the probability of rain is 0.7 is just saying that you believe it will rain to degree 0.7. Degrees of belief are themselves cashed out in terms of bets— in this case you conside...

introduction environmental impact assessment is a systematic process to identify, predict and evaluate the environmental effects of proposed actions and projects. this process is applied prior to major decisions and commitments being made. environment, social, cultural and health effects are considered as an integral part of eia. particular attention is paid to eia practice for preventing, miti...