Creating Modern Probability
Its Mathematics, Physics and Philosophy in Historical Perspective
Published on 28. January 1994
978-1-316-04559-6 (ISBN)
Description
This is the only book to chart the history and development of modern probability theory. It shows how in the first thirty years of this century probability theory became a mathematical science. The author also traces the development of probabilistic concepts and theories in statistical and quantum physics. There are chapters dealing with chance phenomena, as well as the main mathematical theories of today, together with their foundational and philosophical problems. Among the theorists whose work is treated at some length are Kolmogorov, von Mises and de Finetti. The principal audience for the book comprises philosophers and historians of science, mathematicians concerned with probability and statistics, and physicists. The book will also interest anyone fascinated by twentieth-century scientific developments because the birth of modern probability is closely tied to the change from a determinist to an indeterminist world-view.
Reviews / Votes
'... von Plato has consulted and drawn on a substantial body of archival material: letters, unpublished manuscripts, and drafts of later-published papers. Thus his book does not just (as is sometimes the case) simply revisit the standard chestnuts of the field, but substantially adds to our knowledge of them ... In sum, this is a welcome addition to the literature: timely, informed, and technically competent.' IsisMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Cambridge University Press
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
File size
19,43 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-316-04559-6 (9781316045596)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Jan von Plato
Creating Modern Probability
Its Mathematics, Physics and Philosophy in Historical Perspective
Book
01/1994
Cambridge University Press
€115.70
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
Content
Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. Pathways to modern probability; 3. Probability in statistical physics; 4. Quantum mechanical probability and indeterminism; 5. Classical embeddings of probability and chance; 6. Von Mises' frequentist probabilities; 7. Kolmogorov's measure theoretic probabilities; 8. De Finetti's subjective probabilities; Supplement: Nicole Oresme and the ergodicity of rotations; Bibliography; Index of names; Index of subjects.
