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The theory of random propositions

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Abstract

The theory of random propositions is a theory of confirmation that contains the Bayesian and Shafer—Dempster theories as special cases, while extending both in ways that resolve many of their outstanding problems. The theory resolves the Bayesian “problem of the priors” and provides an extension of Dempster's rule of combination for partially dependent evidence. The standard probability calculus can be generated from the calculus of frequencies among infinite sequences of outcomes. The theory of random propositions is generated analogously from the calculus of frequencies among pairs of infinite sequences of suitably generalized outcomes and in a way that precludes the inclusion of contrived orad hoc elements. The theory is also formulated as an uninterpreted calculus.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of H.P.S., University of Pittsburgh, 1017 Cathedral of Learning, 15260, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    John D. Norton

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  1. John D. Norton
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Additional information

I am grateful to Frank Arntzenius, John Earman, Allan Franklin, Teddy Seidenfeld, Brian Skyrms, Sandy Zabell and an anonymous referee for helpful discussion.

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Norton, J.D. The theory of random propositions. Erkenntnis 41, 325–352 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01130758

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01130758

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