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