Irreducible probabilities and indeterminism
type: Item
instance of: scholarly article
title: Irreducible probabilities and indeterminism
zbMATH Open document ID: 0675.03002
DOI: 10.1007/BF00293446
author: H. Krips
published in: Journal of Philosophical Logic
publication date: 1989-01-01T00:00:00Z
review text: The author sets out a single-case propensity interpretation of probabilities, based on measures over nested sequences of spheres of possible worlds which converge to the actual world. The author admits that assumptions about the topological structure of the possible worlds, as well as assumptions about the existence of appropriate measures, are motivated by their role in explaining relations between stochastic and counterfactual statements. There is some discussion of these matters to justify the assumptions. In addition the author defends his definition of probability, and single-case propensity interpretations in general, from various criticisms. The paper ends with a discussion of quantum mechanical probabilities, pointing out that traditional principles of counterfactual definiteness fail for these probabilities. He presents a version of the argument against quantum `hidden variables' in terms of the failure of precise counterfactual statements.
Mathematics Subject Classification ID: 03A05
Mathematics Subject Classification ID: 03B48
Mathematics Subject Classification ID: 81P10
zbMATH DE Number: 4104915
zbMATH Keywords: single-case propensity interpretation of probabilities
zbMATH Keywords: measures over nested sequences of spheres of possible worlds
zbMATH Keywords: counterfactual statements
zbMATH Keywords: probability
zbMATH Keywords: quantum mechanical probabilities
zbMATH Keywords: hidden variables
MaRDI profile type: Publication
cites work: Q5343900
full work available at URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00293446
OpenAlex ID: W2052105571
description: scientific article; zbMATH DE number 4104915