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In this article, I discuss an argument that purports to prove that probability theory is the only sensible means of dealing with uncertainty. I show that this argument can succeed only if some rather controversial assumptions about the nature of uncertainty are accepted. I discuss these assumptions and provide reasons for rejecting them. I also present examples of what I take to be non‐probabilistic uncertainty.

Proposes a fresh approach to population biology and ecology. This book proposes and develops an inertial view of population growth, taking note of acceleration, or rate of change of the growth rate between consecutive generations. It is useful for population biologists, ecological modellers, and theoretical biologists and philosophers of science.

An examination of the findings of the Second Circuit Court case of Shonubi IV challenges the claim that it represents a general rejection of statistical evidence in law. The 1991 case involved a Nigerian resident of the US accused of importing heroin by swallowing it in a sealed balloon. There was overwhelming evidence of Shonubi's guilt & a finding that he had made a total of eight such trips. The appeal did not contest his conviction but focused on the judge's interpretation of federal guidelines that indicated the sentence should depend on the quantity of heroin involved. Shonubi's sentence was based on the total amount of heroin smuggled in all eight episodes. The amount was determined by statistical estimates since physical evidence from the first seven incidents was unavailable. The case's progress through three successive appeals shows that the final decision to vacate the sentence was fair because of the dubious nature of the statistical evidence based on quantities other balloon smugglers had carried, rather than on what Shonubi himself smuggled. 24 References. J. Lindroth

Voting systems aggregate preferences efficiently and are often used for deciding conservation priorities. Desirable characteristics of voting systems include transitivity, completeness, and Pareto optimality, among others. Voting systems that are common and potentially useful for environmental decision making include simple majority, approval, and preferential voting. Unfortunately, no voting system can guarantee an outcome, while also satisfying a range of very reasonable performance criteria. Furthermore, voting methods may be manipulated by decision makers and strategic voters if they have knowledge of the voting patterns and alliances of others in the voting populations. The difficult properties of voting systems arise in routine decision making when there are multiple criteria and management alternatives. Because each method has flaws, we do not endorse one method. Instead, we urge organizers to be transparent about the properties of proposed voting systems and to offer participants the opportunity to approve the voting system as part of the ground rules for operation of a group.