From: Anders Sandberg (asa@nada.kth.se)
Date: Thu Oct 28 1999 - 04:38:25 MDT
Rob Harris <rob@hbinternet.co.uk> writes:
> And I assert that probability exists only as a fix for uncertainty in
> systems one wishes to predict that have too many variables of too high a
> complexity to track. Probability will become obsolete with the arrival of
> the necessary technology. Or will it? What do you think?
There are processes that are too complex for any finite system to
predict. Many of the most interesting and relevant systems in the
universe are chaotic and highly influenced by weak interactions from
the environment. In these cases you would still need
probability. Remember, probability is best viewed as uncertainty (yes,
I'm a Bayesian too :-), and no matter what our level of technology, we
will have uncertainty due to limitations in information processing,
sensing abilities, information storage and complexity.
-- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Anders Sandberg Towards Ascension! asa@nada.kth.se http://www.nada.kth.se/~asa/ GCS/M/S/O d++ -p+ c++++ !l u+ e++ m++ s+/+ n--- h+/* f+ g+ w++ t+ r+ !y
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