The ghost of pragmatism

some historical remarks on the debate on the foundations of probability

Maria C. Galavotti

pp. 167-182

in: Friedrich Stadler, Niels Weidtmann, Sami Pihlström (eds), Logical empiricism and pragmatism, Berlin, Springer, 2017

Abstract

This paper explores the impact of pragmatism on logical empiricism in connection with the debate on the foundations of probability. Peirce 's conception of probability, anticipating the propensity interpretation launched by Popper in the late 1950s, is recalled together with the multifarious influence he had on a number of authors including Nagel , Reichenbach , and Ramsey . This is followed by a discussion of the impact of C.I. Lewis 's viewpoint on Carnap , to conclude with an overview of de Finetti 's deeply pragmatist perspective.

Cited authors

Popper Karl

Peirce Charles Sanders