Conceptualistic Pragmatism: A framework for Bayesian analysis?

Abstract

This paper argues for an extended framework for the subjectivist approach to statistical decision making—the judgements made for deriving a likelihood function should be carefully reflected upon. The Harvard professor of philosophy Clarence I. Lewis did offer a philosophical action-oriented framework for this type of reflection. The philosophy of Lewis has very much influenced the originators of the quality movement. This constitutes an interesting link between two important learning-oriented approaches in the current statistical discourse—the subjectivist theory of statistical inference and the quality movement with its focus on continuous improvements.