The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #26283   Message #317540
Posted By: GUEST,Murray MaxLeod
12-Oct-00 - 06:00 PM
Thread Name: BS: Mathematical Probability Query
Subject: RE: BS: Mathematical Probability Query
Bradypus, I love that one too it is a real paradox and MIND magazine had a lot of high-flying philosophers trying to solve it in the 7o's. I think the solution has somethhing to do with the invalidity of the initial premise, but never having completed my logic and metaphysics course, I probably wouldn't understand it anyway.

Wolfgang, I am going to recheck the arithmetic on your one.

And Marion, the time probably has come for a discussion of what exactly probability means. My take on it is that it is a function of the incompleteness of our information, and not really an attribute of the external world at all. IMHO it is actually incorreect to say "The probability of this coin landing heads is 1/2". The philosophically correct statement is "The probability of my being right if I call heads is 1/2"

Murray