Bayes's Theorem

by Richard Swinburne

Bayes's theorem is a tool for assessing how probable evidence makes some hypotheses. The papers in this volume consider the theorem's worth, its applicability in assessing various forms of evidence, and the philosophical issues surrounding the theorem. The volume ends with the original paper
containing the theorem, presented to the Royal Society in 1763.

Genres: Philosophy

160 pages, Paperback

First published December 26, 2002

About the author

Richard G. Swinburne is an Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at the University of Oxford. Over the last 50 years Swinburne has been a very influential proponent of natural theology, that is, philosophical arguments for the existence of God. His philosophical contributions are primarily in philosophy of religion and philosophy of science. He aroused much discussion with his early work in the philosophy of religion, a trilogy of books consisting of The Coherence of Theism, The Existence of God, and Faith and Reason.

Reviews

[Fadel Homoud · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been a very interesting book, or collection of papers. I found it to be more about thought provoking than informative.
The book starts with an introduction to probability. Then, it examines the scope and limitations of Bayes's Theorem, which is something I haven't seen in three probability courses I have taken so far!
Then it discuses two very interesting applications of the Theorem, the first is about weighing the evidence by juries with the theorem (My favourite and most interesting chapter) and the second is responding to Hume's proof against miracles. (I don't have a solid background about the proof, so I cannot judge)

After forming my opinion about the book, I went and read about the authors, and discovered that they are partially Philosophers and that probably explains everything :).