Thinking About Statistics: The Philosophical Foundations

This book bridges the gap between statistics and philosophy by explaining the conceptual cores of various statistical methodologies and drawing out their philosophical implications. It characterizes statistical methodologies by their epistemological nature and analyzes the ontological assumptions that underpin statistical reasoning. It is written for students, researchers, and professionals in a wide range of fields.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 194 pages
Publication date: 19 January 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book is a groundbreaking exploration that seamlessly connects statistics and philosophy, offering a comprehensive and insightful perspective on the field. By delving into the conceptual foundations of various statistical methodologies, such as Bayesian/frequentist statistics, model selection, machine learning, and causal inference, it sheds light on their philosophical implications. The author portrays statistical inference as an epistemic endeavor aimed at justifying hypotheses about a probabilistic model of a given empirical problem. Through this lens, the book elucidates the role of ontological, semantic, and epistemological assumptions that enable such inductive inference.

The book distinguishes between different statistical methodologies by highlighting their epistemological nature. Bayesian statistics, for instance, is characterized by internalist epistemology, while classical statistics is associated with externalist epistemology. Model selection, pragmatist epistemology, and deep learning are other methodologies explored in the book, each with its unique epistemological framework.

Furthermore, the book delves into the ontological assumptions that underpin statistical reasoning, including concepts such as uniformity of nature, natural kinds, real patterns, possible worlds, and causal structures. It highlights the significance of understanding these assumptions in improving the performance and intelligibility of statistical models.

One of the book's key strengths is its ability to discuss philosophical aspects of traditional as well as cutting-edge statistical methodologies without assuming any prior knowledge of statistics. It draws parallels between various methods of statistics and philosophical epistemology, revealing previously ignored connections between the two disciplines. This interdisciplinary approach makes the book accessible to students, researchers, and professionals in a wide range of fields, including philosophy, biology, medicine, and beyond.

In conclusion, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of statistics and philosophy. It provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the field, offering valuable insights into the philosophical foundations of statistical methodologies and their practical applications. By bridging the gap between these two disciplines, the book enables a deeper understanding of the world and fosters interdisciplinary collaboration.

Weight: 306g
Dimension: 228 x 153 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032326108