Suchergebnisse

A Prerequisite for Rational Philosophical Discussion -- Epistemology and Logic -- Zur Rolle der Sprache in Erkenntnistheoretischer Hinsicht -- Some Remarks Concerning Languages, Calculuses, and Logic -- Carnap and Logical Truth -- Extension and Intension -- The Present Situation in the Philosophy of Mathematics -- A Counterpart of Occam's Razor in Pure and Applied Mathematics Ontological Uses -- Towards a General Theory of Computability -- Inductive Inconsistencies -- Einige Beiträge zum Problem der Teleologie und der Analyse Von Systemen Mit Zielgerichteter Organisation -- Beleuchtung Von Anwendungen der Logistik in Werken Von Rudolf Carnap -- Typology of Questionnaires Adopted to the Study of Expressions with closely Related Meanings -- Permissible and Impermissible Locutions -- Non-cognitive Synonymy and the Definability of 'Good' -- On the History of the International Encyclopedia of Unified Science.

Book reviewed in this article:Introduction to Probability and Mathematical Statistics, Z. W. BirnbaumThe Paper Industry and European Integration, R. BolaffiMethods of least squares and principles of the theory of observations, Yu. V. LinnikFundamentals of Scientific Mathematics, George E. OwenDecomposition of Superpositions of Distribution Functions, P. MedgyessyMathematical Methods and Theory in Games, Programming and Economics, S. K. arlinStatistical Analysis and Optimization of Systems, E. L. PetersonStudies in applied probability and management science, edited by Kenneth J. Arrow, Samuel Karlin and Herbert Scarf

Since the theory of games was first made widely available, with application to economic behavior, its use has been suggested in many other areas, from the global to the individual. Several correspondences between game theory and certain aspects of political process have been noted.The contribution of game theory to substantive knowledge in the empirical sciences, however, has been modest; Luce and Raiffa judge that its impact has been greater in applied mathematics. The area of political behavior—despite the apparent applicability of the notion of conflict of interest—is similarly lacking in studies, although a few notable exceptions exist.

Book reviewed in this article: Factor Analysis, An introduction and manuel for the Psychologist and Social scientist, Raymond B. Cattle. Mathematics and Statistics for use in Pharmacy, Biology and Chemistry, L. Saunders en R. Fleming. Initiation aux methodes statistiques en biologie, M. Lamotte, Masson et Cie., Parijs. The Analysis of Family Budgets, S. J. Prais en H. S. Houthakker. Guide to elementary statistical formulas, Robert E. Johnson en Doris N. Morris. Applied General Statistics, F. E. Croxton en D. J. Cowden.Proceedings of the Second Symposium in Linear Programming Mathematische Statistik, B. L. van der Waerden. Introduction to Factor Analysis, Benjamin Fruchter.

In the last decade, more and more political scientists have speculated on the possible applications of mathematical analysis to political phenomena. It is the position of this paper that such discussion, when in the abstract, serves little purpose, for the question of whether or not quantitative techniques can fruitfully be so applied is essentially an empirical one and can only be resolved by experiment. Yet even a specifically experimental approach becomes challengeable if it can be shown to misunderstand and hence misemploy otherwise sound techniques. The claim to have solved problems whose mathematical features have not, in fact, been comprehended seems especially harmful in a field where the application of mathematics is as yet in its infancy, and this not only because minor impurities at the base of a growing framework may assume major proportions at its apex, but because exposure of error may breed unjustified disenchantment or give solace to those who prefer a casual, imprecise impressionism in the social sciences.

I Introduction -- The development of mathematical methods in application to economic theory -- Attempts to define operationally the concept of 'fecundity' -- The relations between mathematics and logic -- II The Logical Distinction between two types of Mathematical Method — Respectively Mathematical Presentation and Mathematical Operation -- III Attempted Operational Assessment of the Intellectual Economy due to using Mathematical Methods -- Mathematical presentation and economy of thought -- Mathematical operations and economy of thought -- Provisional summary -- IV Investigation of the Intelligibility of Mathematical Methods -- Definition of the concept 'intelligibility' -- An attempted conclusion as to intelligibility, based on an example of R. Stucken -- V Critical Appraisal of the Accuracy of Mathematical Methods as applied to Economic Theory -- Fundamental considerations -- Quantitative estimation of the final errors resulting from mathematical operations attributable to differences in the input values -- The inexactitude of mathematical operations -- Imperfect accuracy of mathematical presentation as exemplified in the market demand for household consumer goods -- The significance of the psycho-physical basic principles underlying the exactness of mathematical methods -- W. Krelle's theory of domestic demand considered from the standpoint of procedural accuracy -- VI Conclusions -- Notes.