>>[KL]... ontologists tell me it is a category error to put
>>probability in the ontology, because probability is epistemic and
>>not ontological.
>>
>
>This is a widespread but wrong view. Start to read what Mario Bunge
>has written about the probability calculus as a purely mathematical
>calculus and what kind of interpretations it might fit - epistemic
>as well as ontological. (01)
There is a vigorous debate on the various viewpoints of probability.
There are diehard proponents of ontological probability, and diehard
proponents of the view that there is no such thing as ontological
probabilities. When push comes to shove, intelligent people of both
camps build statistical models that draw essentially the same
conclusions, when there are definitive conclusions to be drawn -- but
they put a different metaphysical spin on the results. (02)
I prefer not to get drawn into that debate. When two people agree on
the mathematical model, and there is no conceivable observable data
that could distinguish between their theories, yet they spend hours
debating with each other which of them is correct, I prefer to spend
my time more productively. (03)
I wasn't arguing that ontological probabilities don't exist. I was
arguing that there is a case to be made for augmenting at least some
parts of some ontologies with probabilities, even if one doesn't
regards these artifacts as the best achievable representation of the
phenomenon, and not as faithful models of the way the phenomenon
really is. (04)
If it's very important not to call an artifact an ontology if the
probabilities in it are not considered to be ontological
probabilities, then I guess we can give it another name. But I
personally think it's an artificial distinction. The important
distinction is whether the relevant communities can reach agreement
on probabilities that -- for the purpose -- are good enough for the
purpose. (05)
K (06)
_________________________________________________________________
Message Archives: http://ontolog.cim3.net/forum/ontolog-forum/
Subscribe/Config: http://ontolog.cim3.net/mailman/listinfo/ontolog-forum/
Unsubscribe: mailto:ontolog-forum-leave@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Shared Files: http://ontolog.cim3.net/file/
Community Wiki: http://ontolog.cim3.net/wiki/
To Post: mailto:ontolog-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (07)
|