Survey and Reconstruction of Martyr Sadr’s Interpretation of Probability Concept

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Abstract

Martyr Sadr had a peculiar understanding of probability concept which can be called “synoptic interpretation of probability”. In previous issue of Naqd wa Nazar the question of consistency of Martyr Sadr’s particular interpretation of probability concept with postulations of Probability theory was dealt with in detail. In this article I discuss whether his particular interpretation can provide a comprehensive and consistent explanation of our intuitions and immediate knowledge in ascribing probability to various events. In this respect synoptic interpretation faces three main problems : the way in which the alternatives of synoptic knowledge are arranged, the way uncertain indications affect on probability and finally how to ascribe probability in contexts of continuity. Martyr Sadr drew attention to the first two problems and provided remarkable answers to them. His solution for the first problem though is of high intuitive force it is not formulated in a precise way. Besides, it cannot solve the problem in all cases. How successful Martyr Sadr’s solution is depends on adequacy of his method in solving the problem of induction. Meanwhile, Sadr made no mention of the third problem and thus made no attempt to solve it.

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References

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