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The Logic of Statistical Inference
Ian Hacking's first significant publication, Logic of Statistical interference, delves into his early thoughts regarding statistical reasoning. “Statistical inference is the process of drawing conclusions about populations or scientific truths from data.” (Caffo, 2023) This brought Hacking into the scientific and philosophical limelight, as his publication brought great understanding to a fundamental problem, bridging the gap between math and philosophy. -
The Emergence of Probability
In his next great publication, The Emergence of Probability, he explores “the history of our present”. A paradox in itself, he goes on to explain how we live in a world of probabilities and statistics, and how things like our unhealthy vices and our endless worries are a result of fear due to probabilities. He tries to break down the world we live in so that we have an understanding of the world of “chances” we live in. It also brings about the idea of duality, trying to make sense of it. -
The Taming of Chance - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxoRtVb47d8&ab_channel=HolbergPrize
The Taming of Chance is a direct sequel to The Emergence of Probability. Hacking Breaks down how in the 19th century, statistical patterns began to be explained by themselves, without the world values interfering. Through this paradigm shift, he explains how philosophy, physical sciences, math, and social institutions, began to relate and how the “probabilzation” of the United States happened. This book brought a new and unique perspective to the philosophy of science. -
An Introduction to Probability and Inductive Logic
An Introduction to Probability and Inductive Logic is Hacking’s way of bringing all kinds of students into the realm of the philosophy of science. This book has opened the door for many learners to dive deeper into induction and probability, decision theory, Bayesianism, frequency ideas, and the philosophical problem of induction. Because of this book, the Philosophy of Science became more mainstream in western education and became much more available to learn about. -
Works Cited - Hacking, Ian. “An Introduction to Probability and Inductive Logic.” Higher Education from Cambridge University Press, Cambridge University Press, 5 June 2012
Statistical inference. (2023, January 29). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statistical_inference Caffo, Brian. “Statistical Inference.” Coursera, https://www.coursera.org/learn/statistical-inference.
Hacking, Ian. The Emergence of Probability. Cambridge University Press, 2006. “The Taming of Chance (Ideas in Context).” Goodreads, Goodreads, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/309552.The_Taming_Of_Chance.