[comp.ai.digest] Probability: is it appropriate, necessary, or practical

STAR@LAVALVM1 (Spencer Star) (04/13/88)

> a uniquely probabilistic approach to uncertainty may be
> inappropriate, unnecessary and impractical.  D. J. Spiegelhalter

  For the record, it was this quote from Spiegelhalter by Paul Creelman
  that prompted my questioning the accuracy of the quote.  I have been
  able to track down the quote.  A few words were dropped from what
  Spiegelhalter actually wrote.  "Deviations from the methodological
  rigor and coherence of probability theory have been criticized,
  but in return it has been argued that a uniquely probabilistic
  approach to uncertainty may be inappropriate, unnecessary, and
  impractical."  Spiegelhalter goes on to discuss these points and then
  reply to them point by point.  Roses  to Paul for sending me the source
  and brickbats to him for the liberties he took with it.