more from Donald Davidson

Single Idea 19142

[catalogued under 10. Modality / B. Possibility / 6. Probability]

Full Idea

Kolmogorov's axiomatisation of probability puts clear constraints on the concept of probability, but leaves open whether probability is further characterised as relative frequency, degree of belief, or something else.

Gist of Idea

Probability can be constrained by axioms, but that leaves open its truth nature

Source

Donald Davidson (Truth and Predication [2005], 2)

Book Reference

Davidson,Donald: 'Truth and Predication' [Belknap Harvard 2005], p.32


A Reaction

Davidson cites this to show the limitations of axiomatic approaches to any topic (e.g. sets, truth, arithmetic). The item in question must be treated as a 'primitive'. This always has the feeling of second-best.