McCutcheon, Randall G. (2019) Adams Thesis and the Local Interpretation of Conditionals. [Preprint]

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Abstract

Adams' Thesis states that the probability of a conditional is the probability of the consequent conditional on the antecedent. S. Kaufmann introduced a rival method, the so-called ``local interpretation'', for calculating the probability of a conditional that, according to a purported majority, squares better with intuition in some circumstances. He also gives an example purporting to show that this new method sometimes corresponds to rational action. We challenge the intuitions and expose a mathematical error in the example. We also offer a model for the local interpretivist semantics. This model puts theoretical local interpretivists on ground as solid as that of Thesis abiders for whom conditionals have truth conditions.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID McCutcheon, Randall G. rmcctchn@memphis.edu 0000-0002-5305-3662
Keywords:	Adams Thesis, Lewisian Triviality
Subjects:	General Issues > Decision Theory Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics
Depositing User:	Dr. Randall G. McCutcheon
Date Deposited:	12 Aug 2019 03:32
Last Modified:	12 Aug 2019 03:32
Item ID:	16321
Subjects:	General Issues > Decision Theory Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics
Date:	11 August 2019
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/16321

Available Versions of this Item

• Adams Thesis and the Local Interpretation of Conditionals. (deposited 29 Oct 2018 19:47)
  • Adams Thesis and the Local Interpretation of Conditionals. (deposited 12 Aug 2019 03:32) [Currently Displayed]

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