- 1. The Taming of Chance by Ian Hacking is a profound exploration of the intersection between chance, statistics, and the philosophy of science, where Hacking delves into how the concepts of probability and chance have transformed our understanding of the world. In this work, Hacking argues that the modern conception of randomness has roots deeply embedded in historical developments in statistical thinking, particularly in the 19th century, as he traces the evolution of ideas about chance from early notions of unpredictability to their critical role in scientific discourse. He examines the implications of these changes, questioning how they have shaped our perception of risk, the nature of social facts, and the very essence of human behavior in contexts ranging from medicine to economics. Hacking's narrative not only highlights the intellectual rigor behind statistical reasoning but also emphasizes its practical impacts on society, effectively illustrating how the 'taming' of chance has led to a greater grasp of uncertainty while simultaneously raising ethical and epistemological questions about the use of statistics in decision-making and public policy.
What is the central thesis of 'The Taming of Chance'?
A) Quantum mechanics ended statistical thinking
B) Chance cannot be studied scientifically
C) Probability and statistics emerged in the 19th century to make chance predictable
D) Ancient philosophers fully understood probability
- 2. During which century does Hacking argue probability became scientific?
A) 18th century
B) 17th century
C) 19th century
D) 20th century
- 3. What concept did the 19th century develop to understand social phenomena?
A) Statistical laws
B) Economic Marxism
C) Psychological determinism
D) Divine intervention
- 4. Hacking argues that statistics created new categories of:
A) Planets
B) Animals
C) People
D) Chemical elements
- 5. What type of determinism emerged alongside probability?
A) Biological determinism
B) Statistical determinism
C) Economic determinism
D) Psychological determinism
- 6. The 'avalanche of printed numbers' refers to the explosion of:
A) Novel publications
B) Statistical data
C) Political manifestos
D) Scientific theories
- 7. What did Quetelet contribute to probability?
A) Concept of the average man
B) Game theory
C) Bayesian statistics
D) Quantum probability
- 8. What field first systematically used probability?
A) Gambling
B) Astronomy
C) Agriculture
D) Medicine
- 9. The 'taming' in the title refers to making chance:
A) Eliminated entirely
B) Artistically inspiring
C) Religiously significant
D) Manageable and predictable
- 10. What philosophical problem does probability address?
A) Moral relativism
B) Mind-body dualism
C) Aesthetic judgment
D) Induction
- 11. What type of facts did statistics create?
A) Chemical facts
B) Social facts
C) Geological facts
D) Biological facts
- 12. What became measurable through statistics?
A) Emotional states
B) Spiritual experiences
C) Social patterns
D) Artistic quality
- 13. Hacking shows how statistics enabled new forms of:
A) Musical innovation
B) Social control
C) Religious worship
D) Artistic expression
- 14. Hacking argues that probability created new:
A) Ways of thinking
B) Religious movements
C) Art forms
D) Musical styles
- 15. Hacking discusses how statistics affected:
A) Fine arts
B) Literary criticism
C) Human sciences
D) Musical theory
- 16. What type of reality did statistics help create?
A) Artistic reality
B) Social reality
C) Spiritual reality
D) Musical reality
- 17. Hacking discusses the 'avalanche of printed' what?
A) Laws
B) Newspapers
C) Numbers
D) Books
- 18. What Belgian astronomer and statistician is a key figure in the book?
A) John Herschel
B) Carl Friedrich Gauss
C) Pierre-Simon Laplace
D) Adolphe Quetelet
- 19. Hacking discusses how statistics affected the concept of:
A) Artistic genius
B) Free will
C) Divine providence
D) National identity
- 20. Which institution was crucial for collecting social statistics?
A) The state
B) The church
C) Universities
D) Private corporations
- 21. Which country was particularly important in developing social statistics?
A) Russia
B) United States
C) China
D) France
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