More Precisely: The Math You Need to Do Philosophy

Description

More Precisely is a rigorous and engaging introduction to the mathematics necessary to do philosophy. Eric Steinhart provides lucid explanations of many basic mathematical concepts and sets out the most commonly used notational conventions. He also demonstrates how mathematics applies to fundamental issues in various branches of philosophy, including metaphysics, philosophy of language, epistemology, and ethics. This second edition adds a substantial section on decision and game theory, as well as a chapter on information theory and the efficient coding of information. Cover......Page 1 Title page......Page 3 Copyright......Page 4 Contents......Page 5 Preface......Page 10 1. Sets......Page 13 2. Relations......Page 37 3. Machines......Page 77 4. Semantics......Page 97 5. Probabillity......Page 120 6. Information Theory......Page 143 7. Decisions and Games......Page 175 8. From the Finite to the Infinite......Page 198 9. Bigger Infinities......Page 214 Further Study......Page 233 Glossary of Symbols......Page 235 References......Page 238 Index......Page 243 Back......Page 250