Friday, October 6, 2017 (3:15 p.m. in Yost 306)
Title: Foundations of probability – failure of philosophy as a descriptive science
Speaker: Krzysztof Burdzy (Professor of Mathematics and Adjunct Professor of Statistics, University of Washington at Seattle)
Abstract: What is the probability of global warming? Specifically, what is the probability that by 2100, the average U.S.temperature will increase by about 7 degrees Fahrenheit?
According to one of the two most prominent philosophical theories of probability, the question makes no sense. According to the other theory, the probability in question is whatever you think it is.
No matter whether you are alt-right or alt-left, come to my lecture to learn sophisticated intellectual tools to support your favorite cause, no matter how irrational it might be.
Information about the speaker:
Chris Burdzy is a distinguished probabilist with major results on the borderline of stochastic processes, potential theory and harmonic analysis. He’s been Editor-in-Chief of the Annals of Probability from 2012-2014, and founder of the Electronic Journal of Probability. Recently his interests included the interaction between probability and philosophy and he published two books on the topic:
“The Search for Certainty: On the Clash of Science and Philosophy of Probability” , 2009
“Resonance: From Probability to Epistemology and Back”, 2016