Single Idea 13057

[catalogued under 14. Science / D. Explanation / 2. Types of Explanation / l. Probabilistic explanations]

Full Idea

Perhaps we should think of probabilities in terms of propensities rather than frequencies.

Gist of Idea

Think of probabilities in terms of propensities rather than frequencies

Source

Wesley Salmon (Four Decades of Scientific Explanation [1989], 3.2)

Book Reference

Salmon,Wesley C.: 'Four Decades of Scientific Explanation', ed/tr. Humphreys,Paul [Pittsburgh 2006], p.74


A Reaction

[He cites Coffa 1974 for this] I find this suggestion very appealing, as it connects up with dispositions and powers, which I take to be the building blocks of all explanation. It is, of course, easier to render frequencies numerically.