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The Chances of Propensities

Suárez, Mauricio (2016) The Chances of Propensities. [Preprint]

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Abstract

This paper argues that if propensities are displayed in objective physical chances then the appropriate representation of these chances is as indexed probability functions. Two alternative formal models, or accounts, for the relation between propensity properties and their chancy or probabilistic manifestations, in terms of conditionals and conditional probability are first reviewed. It is argued that both confront important objections, which are overcome by the account in terms of indexed probabilities. A number of further advantages of the indexed probability account are discussed, which suggest that it is promising as a general theory of objective physical chance. The paper ends with a discussion of the indexical character of the objective chances that are grounded in propensities.

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Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Suárez, Mauriciomsuarez@filos.ucm.es
Additional Information: Forthcoming in the British Journal for Philosophy of Science, 2017
Keywords: Philosophy of Probability, Metaphysics of Chance, Propensities, Frequencies, Humphreys' Paradox
Subjects: General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics
Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics
Depositing User: Prof Mauricio Suárez
Date Deposited: 04 Aug 2017 15:14
Last Modified: 04 Aug 2017 15:14
Item ID: 13299
Official URL: http://bjps.oxfordjournals.org
DOI or Unique Handle: https://doi.org/10.1093/bjps/axx010
Subjects: General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics
Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics
Date: 2016
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/13299

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