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List of contents
- Preface
- 1: Introduction
- 2: Belief and Its Objects
- 3: The Probabilistic Way
- 4: The Representation of Belief: Some Standard Moves
- 5: Ranking Functions
- 6: Reasons and Apriority
- 7: Conditional Independence and Ranking Nets
- 8: The Measurement of Ranks
- 9: Supposing, Updating, and Reflection
- 10: Ranks and Probabilities
- 11: Comparisons
- 12: Laws and Their Confirmation
- 13: Ceteris Paribus Conditions and Dispositions
- 14: Causation
- 15: Objectification
- 16: Justification, Perception, and Consciousness
- 17: The A Priori Structure of Reasons
- Bibliography
- Name Index
- Subject Index
About the author
Wolfgang Spohn studied philosophy, logic/philosophy of science, and mathematics at the University of Munich. He has held positions at the University of Regensburg (1986-91) and the University of Bielefeld (1991-96), and has held a chair in philosophy and philosophy of science at the University of Konstanz since 1996. He is author of three books and over eighty papers, and editor of the journal Erkenntnis.
Summary
Wolfgang Spohn presents the first full account of the dynamic laws of belief, by means of ranking theory, a relative of probability theory which he has pioneered since the 1980s. He offers novel insights into the nature of laws, the theory of causation, inductive reasoning and its experiential base, and a priori principles of reason.
Additional text
Well written and carefully edited, the book is overall a rewarding and pleasurable read. Most importantly, perhaps, Spohns work conveys not doctrines but a refined theoretical framework that invites further application.
