Course Description

Statistics is the methodology for measuring uncertainty and determining the logical conse-quences of that uncertainty for the purposes of designing experiments and interpreting obser-vations. The philosophy of statistics examines the foundations of statistical methodology; it is a quantitative branch of epistemology. This course is an introduction to the philosophy of statistics. The course will cover elementary probability theory; different interpretations of probability; representation theorems of von Neu-mann and Morgenstern, Anscombe and Aumann, and Savage; synchronic and diachronic Dutch Book arguments; an extended comparison of Frequentist and Bayesian methods, including point estimation, interval estimation, hypothesis testing, significance testing, and the likelihood prin-ciple; and an introduction to the theory of lower previsions—otherwise known as the theory of imprecise probabilities. Course Goals The goal of the course is to provide students with a broad introduction to the philosophy of statistics, including a familiarity with the rudimentary mathematical methods used in statistical reasoning, and to give students an opportunity – through a series of short essays – to sharpen their philosophical writing. Online Registratio