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