- Forum Info
- Additional Info
- Ratings
- Signature
- Contact
Forum Info
Joined:
2017-08-13
2017-08-13
Status:
Offline
Last Visit:
2019-08-09, 09:57 PM
Time Spent Online:
1 Day, 20 Hours, 14 Minutes
Additional Info
Total Posts:
2 (0 posts per day | 0 percent of total posts)
[Find All Posts]
Total Threads:
0 (0 threads per day | 0 percent of total threads)
Members Referred:
0
0
lhl's Most Liked Post | ||
Post Subject | Post Date/Time | Numbers of Likes |
RE: A probabilistic argument against deniers of the paranormal | 2017-08-14, 08:01 AM | 4 |
Thread Subject | Forum Name | |
A probabilistic argument against deniers of the paranormal |
Related Topics
Skeptic vs. Proponent Discussions |
|
Post Message | ||
I think one could point to two potential problems with this line of reasoning. 1. The probability calculation (i.e. P(A and B) = P(A) * P(B) ) only works if the two cases are (stochastically) independent, it doesn't hold in general. Say, for instance, that the two events in question are that you and I each ask a psychic how to place a bet at the horse race. But unbeknownst to eachother we have actually picked the same medium. Case A would be that you win, and case B would that I win. But since we have the same source for the information in this case clearly P(A and B) = P(A) = P(B). In your example it wouldn't be a case of just choosing 6932 cases: one would also have to compare them pairwise and make sure they are independent. And how does one determine whether there is some underlying common causality between to paranormal events (a butterfly's wing etc.)? 2. The argument also breaks down if the skeptic chooses to assing the probability 0 to all paranormal events. I'm sure you know this, so just to be clear: For something to have probability 0 of occuring doesn't imply that it cannot occur. |
lhl's Received and Given Likes | ||
Likes Received | Likes Given | |
Last week | 0 | 0 |
Last month | 0 | 0 |
Last 3 months | 0 | 0 |
Last 6 months | 0 | 0 |
Last 12 months | 0 | 0 |
All Time | 5 | 9 |
Most liked by | ||
Brian | 2 | 40% |
Laird | 1 | 20% |
Ninshub | 1 | 20% |
Doug | 1 | 20% |
Most liked | ||
natec | 1 | 11% |
Oleo | 1 | 11% |
Sciborg_S_Patel | 1 | 11% |
deanradin | 1 | 11% |
[Deleted member] | 1 | 11% |