Between determinism and probability. An analysis of Jan Łukasiewicz’s views Cover Image

Między determinizmem a prawdopodobieństwem – analiza poglądów Jana Łukasiewicza
Between determinism and probability. An analysis of Jan Łukasiewicz’s views

Author(s): Paweł Pruski
Subject(s): Philosophy
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Komisji Edukacji Narodowej w Krakowie
Keywords: objective probability; logical determinism; philosophical interpretations of probability

Summary/Abstract: In the contemporary philosophical debate about probability, one of the main problems concerns the relation between objective probability and determinism. Is it possible for objective probability and determinism to co‑exist? This is one of the questions this dispute tries to answer. The scope of discussion is conducted between advocates of a positive answer (compatibilist) and co‑existence opponents (incompatibilist). In the early twentieth century, many logicians also developed topics regarding probability and determinism. One of them was the outstanding Polish logician and philosopher — Jan Łukasiewicz. The general purpose of this paper is to analyse and implement Łukasiewicz’s views regarding determinism and probability in the contemporary field of this problem. I will try to show the relation between his interpretations of these concepts and in consequence his attempt to confront them. As a result of the above analysis, I present some different positions (located in the fields of logic and semantics) in the contemporary discourse about the relation between objective probability and determinism. Moreover, I will present Łukasiewicz’s views about this relation and the consequence of these solutions in the field of logic.

  • Issue Year: IV/2014
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 315-324
  • Page Count: 10
  • Language: Polish