- 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) Probability and statistics emerged in the 19th century to make chance predictable
B) Ancient philosophers fully understood probability
C) Chance cannot be studied scientifically
D) Quantum mechanics ended statistical thinking
- 2. During which century does Hacking argue probability became scientific?
A) 19th century
B) 17th century
C) 20th century
D) 18th century
- 3. What concept did the 19th century develop to understand social phenomena?
A) Divine intervention
B) Statistical laws
C) Economic Marxism
D) Psychological determinism
- 4. Hacking argues that statistics created new categories of:
A) Chemical elements
B) Animals
C) People
D) Planets
- 5. What type of determinism emerged alongside probability?
A) Biological determinism
B) Statistical determinism
C) Psychological determinism
D) Economic determinism
- 6. The 'avalanche of printed numbers' refers to the explosion of:
A) Scientific theories
B) Novel publications
C) Statistical data
D) Political manifestos
- 7. What did Quetelet contribute to probability?
A) Concept of the average man
B) Bayesian statistics
C) Quantum probability
D) Game theory
- 8. What field first systematically used probability?
A) Medicine
B) Gambling
C) Agriculture
D) Astronomy
- 9. The 'taming' in the title refers to making chance:
A) Manageable and predictable
B) Artistically inspiring
C) Eliminated entirely
D) Religiously significant
- 10. What philosophical problem does probability address?
A) Moral relativism
B) Induction
C) Mind-body dualism
D) Aesthetic judgment
- 11. What type of facts did statistics create?
A) Biological facts
B) Geological facts
C) Chemical facts
D) Social facts
- 12. What became measurable through statistics?
A) Spiritual experiences
B) Social patterns
C) Emotional states
D) Artistic quality
- 13. Hacking shows how statistics enabled new forms of:
A) Musical innovation
B) Artistic expression
C) Religious worship
D) Social control
- 14. Hacking argues that probability created new:
A) Musical styles
B) Art forms
C) Religious movements
D) Ways of thinking
- 15. Hacking discusses how statistics affected:
A) Fine arts
B) Literary criticism
C) Musical theory
D) Human sciences
- 16. What type of reality did statistics help create?
A) Spiritual reality
B) Musical reality
C) Artistic reality
D) Social reality
- 17. Hacking discusses the 'avalanche of printed' what?
A) Books
B) Laws
C) Newspapers
D) Numbers
- 18. What Belgian astronomer and statistician is a key figure in the book?
A) Carl Friedrich Gauss
B) John Herschel
C) Adolphe Quetelet
D) Pierre-Simon Laplace
- 19. Hacking discusses how statistics affected the concept of:
A) Artistic genius
B) National identity
C) Divine providence
D) Free will
- 20. Which institution was crucial for collecting social statistics?
A) The state
B) Universities
C) The church
D) Private corporations
- 21. Which country was particularly important in developing social statistics?
A) United States
B) France
C) Russia
D) China
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