PhilSci Archive

The Dialectics of Accuracy Arguments for Probabilism

Pruss, Alexander R. (2022) The Dialectics of Accuracy Arguments for Probabilism. [Preprint]

This is the latest version of this item.

[img]
Preview
Text
probabilismfinite.pdf

Download (353kB) | Preview

Abstract

Scoring rules measure the deviation between a credence assignment and reality. Probabilism holds that only
those credence assignments that satisfy the axioms of probability are rationally admissible. Accuracy-based
arguments for probabilism observe that given certain conditions on a scoring rule, the score of any
non-probability is dominated by the score of a probability. The conditions in the arguments always include
propriety: the claim that the expected accuracy of $p$ is not beaten by the expected
accuracy of any other credence $c$ by the lights of $p$ if $p$ is a probability. I argue that if we think
through how a non-probabilist is likely to respond to pragmatic arguments for probabilism, then the
non-probabilist will accept a condition stronger than propriety for the same reasons that the
probabilist gives for propriety, but this stronger condition is incompatible with the other conditions that
the probabilist needs to run the argument. This makes it unlikely for the probabilist's argument to be
compelling.


Export/Citation: EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL
Social Networking:
Share |

Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Pruss, Alexander R.alexander_pruss@baylor.edu
Keywords: probabilism;probability;accuracy;scoring rules;epistemic utility
Subjects: General Issues > Decision Theory
Depositing User: Dr Alexander Pruss
Date Deposited: 13 Oct 2022 12:53
Last Modified: 13 Oct 2022 12:53
Item ID: 21264
Subjects: General Issues > Decision Theory
Date: 2022
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/21264

Available Versions of this Item

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item