Randomness

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by Deborah Bennett

Harvard University Press

Due/Published October 1999, 256 pages, paper

ISBN 0674107454

New in paper. (F99)

To acquire a (correct) intuition of chance--of what chance really means--is not easy, says Bennett, and moving from an intuitive sense to a formal notion of probability presents further problems. So, here she traces the path this process takes in an individual trying to understand concepts of uncertianty and fairness, ald also charts the parallel path by which societies have developed ideas about chance. Why, for example, from ancient to modern times have people resorted to chance in making decisions? Is a decision made by random choice "fair"? What role has gambling played in our understanding of chance? Why do some individuals and societies refuse to accept randomness at all? If understanding randomness is so important to probabilistic thinking, why do expers disagree about what it really is? And why are our intuitions about chance almost always dead wrong? If you've ever been curious about Randomness--this is it!

Randomness] can most easily be described as a brief history of chance. . . . I can cheerfully recommend it to anyone who is a total beginner when it comes to probability, what it means, why it is desperately puzzling, and what it can do for us despite that...It is fascinating to read about the pioneers of probability, such as Pierre Simon de Laplace with his 'normal distribution'-now more familiar as the notorious bell curve-and Adolphe Quetelet, perhaps the first to realize that there are statistical patterns in human behavior. And I applaud the blunt reminder that when it comes to the real world the 'normal' distribution is actually highly abnormal...My main criticism: it left me wanting more. A sequel, please."--Ian Stewart, Times Higher Education Supplement [UK]

"Bennett is brilliantly bilingual, well able to put mathematical concepts into clear, expressive English. Her topic is intrinsically fascinating, for who has not felt buffeted by random events, and who has not sought to see when the wheel of fortune may turn up good luck?"--Patricia Monaghan, Booklist