Translators' Preface |
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xi | |
Foreword |
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xiii | |
Introduction. The Intuition of Probabilities |
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xv | |
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PART ONE Chance in Physical Reality |
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Chapter I Notions of Random Mixture and Irreversibility |
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1 | (25) |
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1 Technique of the experiment and general results |
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2 | (2) |
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2 The first stage (four to seven years): Failure to understand the random nature of the mixture |
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4 | (8) |
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3 The second stage (seven to eleven years): Beginning of the idea of combinatorics |
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12 | (11) |
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4 The third stage (from eleven to twelve years): Permutations and interaction of trajectories |
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23 | (3) |
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Chapter II Centered Distributions (Normal Curves) and Uniform Distributions |
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26 | (31) |
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1 Centered distributions: Experimental technique and general results |
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28 | (3) |
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2 The first stage: Absence of a distribution of the whole |
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31 | (9) |
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3 The second stage: Beginnings of structuring a distribution of the whole and generalization from one experiment to the next |
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40 | (6) |
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4 The third stage: Symmetrical dispersion of the whole with immediate quantification |
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46 | (3) |
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5 Uniform distribution of drops of rain on square tiles |
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49 | (8) |
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Chapter III The Discovery of a Constant Relationship in Conflict with a Fortuitous Uniform Distribution |
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57 | (38) |
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1 Technique of the experiment and general results |
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59 | (2) |
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2 The first stage: I. Illusory predictions of isolated results |
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61 | (6) |
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3 The first stage: II. The reaction to the magnet |
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67 | (7) |
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4 The second stage: I. Gradual establishment of successive fortuitous results |
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74 | (7) |
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5 The second stage: II. Reactions to the magnet |
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81 | (7) |
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6 Third stage: The beginnings of formal reasoning in the discovery of the relationships of variability and constancy |
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88 | (7) |
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Chapter IV Chance and “r;Miracle”r; in the Game of Heads and Tails |
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95 | (21) |
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1 The first stage: Intuition of rarity, but not of random mixture |
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97 | (6) |
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2 The second stage: Chance and total possibilities |
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103 | (3) |
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3 The third stage: Quantification of probability |
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106 | (3) |
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4 The experiments with marbles |
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109 | (7) |
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114 | (2) |
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Chapter V The Random Drawing of Pairs |
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116 | (15) |
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1 The first stage: Absence of systematic probability |
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117 | (7) |
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2 The second stage: Beginnings of quantified probability |
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124 | (3) |
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3 The third stage and conclusions |
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127 | (4) |
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Chapter VI The Quantification of Probabilities |
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131 | (30) |
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1 Technique and general results |
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132 | (2) |
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2 The first stage. Level I A: Absence of logical and arithmetical comparisons |
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134 | (10) |
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3 The first stage: Level I B: Reactions intermediary between stages I and II |
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144 | (5) |
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4 The second stage: The general success of comparisons with a single variable. Level II A: Systematic failure with questions of proportion |
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149 | (4) |
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5 The second stage. Level II B: Progressive empirical solution of questions of proportionality |
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153 | (4) |
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6 The third stage: Solution of questions with two variables |
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157 | (4) |
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PART THREE Combinatoric Operations |
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Chapter VII The Development of Operations of Combination |
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161 | (12) |
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1 The first stage: Empirical combinations |
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164 | (2) |
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2 The second stage: Search for a system |
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166 | (4) |
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3 The third stage: Discovery of a system |
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170 | (3) |
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Chapter VIII Operations of Permutation |
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173 | (22) |
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1 Technique and general results |
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175 | (1) |
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2 The first stage: Absence of a system |
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176 | (4) |
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3 The second stage: The empirical discovery of partial systems |
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180 | (9) |
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4 The third stage: The discovery of a system |
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189 | (6) |
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Chapter IX Operations of Arrangement |
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195 | (17) |
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1 Technique and general results |
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196 | (1) |
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2 The first stage: Empirical arrangements and failure to understand random mixture |
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197 | (3) |
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3 The second stage: Search for a system and the beginning of the idea of chance |
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200 | (4) |
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4 The third stage: Understanding of the system of arrangements and of the laws of random mixture tending toward large numbers |
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204 | (3) |
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5 The quantification of probabilities based on arrangements |
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207 | (5) |
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Chapter X Conclusion: Chance, Probability, and Operations |
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212 | (35) |
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1 The three stages of the development of the idea of chance |
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213 | (3) |
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2 The first period: Failure to differentiate between the possible and the necessary |
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216 | (6) |
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3 The second period: Discovery of chance as a noncom-posable reality as an antithesis to operations |
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222 | (8) |
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4 The third period: Probabilistic composition, a synthesis of chance and the deductive operations |
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230 | (6) |
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5 Chance and probabilities |
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236 | (11) |
Glossary |
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247 | |