We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Johannes von Kries's Objective Probability as a Semi-classical Concept. Prehistory, Preconditions and Problems of a Progressive Idea.
- Authors
Pulte, Helmut
- Abstract
Johannes von Kries's Spielraum-theory is regarded as one of the most important philosophical contributions of the nineteenth century to an objective interpretation of probability. This paper aims at a critical and contextual analysis of von Kries's approach: It is contextual insofar as it reconstructs the Spielraum-theory in the historical setting that formed his scientific and philosophical outlook. It is critical insofar as it unfolds systematic tensions and inconsistencies which are rooted in this context, especially in the grave change of mechanism which took place in the late nineteenth century. In this regard, the paper focuses on von Kries's understanding of natural laws and nomological knowledge in relation to his concept of objective probability. While the formal approach of the Spielraum-theory-as far as developed by von Kries-seems sound, his epistemological claims with respect to nomological knowledge sustain classical mechanism and are hence difficult to substantiate from the point of view of modern science.
- Subjects
VON Kries, Johannes; PROBABILITY theory; PHILOSOPHY; NINETEENTH century; MODERN history
- Publication
Journal for General Philosophy of Science, 2016, Vol 47, Issue 1, p109
- ISSN
0925-4560
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s10838-015-9317-5