Paul Teller is an American philosopher of science at the University of California, Davis, known for his work on the philosophy of quantum field theory, scientific realism, and Bayesian epistemology. He has made significant contributions to debates about probabilistic reasoning, the interpretation of quantum mechanics, and the nature of properties and relations in physics.
Authored 'An Interpretive Introduction to Quantum Field Theory' (1995), a foundational philosophical treatment of QFT
Developed influential critiques of probabilistic abduction, arguing such rules are either reducible to Bayes' rule or incoherent
Advanced relational approaches to quantum mechanics and the problem of individuality of particles
Contributed to debates on scientific realism, measurement theory, and the role of idealization in science
If a probabilistic abduction rule amounts to Bayes' rule, it is redundant.
If a probabilistic abduction rule amounts to Bayes' rule, it is redundant.
claimProbabilistic versions of abduction are either redundant or probabilistically incoherent, and therefore irrational to follow.
premiseProbabilistic incoherence means the rule may lead one to assess as fair a set of bets that together guarantee a financial loss regardless of outcomes.
premiseProbabilistic abduction rules must either amount to Bayes' rule or be at variance with it.
premiseIf a probabilistic abduction rule is at variance with Bayes' rule, then by Lewis' dynamic Dutch book argument it is probabilistically incoherent.