Dynneson, Andrew and Alvarez, Aaron (2016) Infinitesimal Calculus as an Epistemic Mediator: A commentary on the use of Squares in Elementary Statistical Theory. [Preprint]

PDF dynneson-Alvarez-SquaresinStatistics.pdf - Draft Version Download (1MB)

Abstract

This is a commentary on the use of squares in elementary statistics. One sees an ubiquitous use of squares in statistics, and the analogy of "distance in a statistical sense" is teased out. We conjecture that elementary statistical theory has its roots in classical Calculus, and preserves the notion of two senses described in this paper. We claim that the senses of the differentials dx/dy hold between classical and modern infinitesimal Calculus and show how this sense becomes cashed out in both models. We suggest that the commonalities of both accounts can be used to find a informational realist account of Calculus. This account involves infinitesimal Calculus as acting as an epistemic mediator that expands our conceptual space and enables us to create new measures.

---

Export/Citation:

EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL

Social Networking:

Share |

---

Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Dynneson, Andrew awdynneson@utep.edu Alvarez, Aaron aalvarez11@miners.utep.edu
Keywords:	Infinitesimal, Leibniz, Informational Realism, Statistics, Calculus, non-standard Calculus, Philosophy of Math, Philosophy of Calculus
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Mathematics Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics
Depositing User:	Andrew Dynneson
Date Deposited:	22 May 2016 16:28
Last Modified:	22 May 2016 16:28
Item ID:	12104
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Mathematics Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics
Date:	21 May 2016
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/12104

Available Versions of this Item

• Infinitesimal Calculus as an Epistemic Mediator: A commentary on the use of Squares in Elementary Statistical Theory. (deposited 22 May 2016 16:28) [Currently Displayed]
  • Infinitesimal Calculus as an Epistemic Mediator: A commentary on the use of Squares in Elementary Statistical Theory. (deposited 05 Jul 2016 15:32)
    • Infinitesimal Calculus as an Epistemic Mediator: A commentary on the use of Squares in Elementary Statistical Theory. (deposited 07 Jul 2016 15:38)

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Actions (login required)

View Item