Debate : 16047


Off-Topic / Debate / 16047	16046 \| 16048

Subject:	Re: The value of reading (was: If you could leave any book on Kjeld's nightstand...)
Newsgroups:	lugnet.off-topic.debate
Date:	Tue, 2 Apr 2002 15:47:33 GMT
Viewed:	1481 times

In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Larry Pieniazek writes: > Chris's words seem pretty clear to me... there seems to be a statistical > link (a correlation) between poverty and education level, to wit, people > who are poor seem to have less formal education. But he's caveating that by > pointing out that merely noting that statistical correlation doesn't imply > causality. You are, of course, absolutely correct to point out the difference between correlation and causation, but it must be recalled that statistical data are routinely used by both sides in all kinds of discussions, so Allan can be forgiven for suggesting a causative relationship between some A and some B. For instance, every time the gun debate crops up here, someone eventually says "areas with more guns have lower crime rates," which is a statement based entirely on a particular reading of a particular set of statistics. Further, that statement is *invariably* used to imply causation. For that matter, we can't dismiss statistics simply because life doesn't always work by the numbers--I cross the street on the basis of informal ad hoc statistical reasoning: "if the light is red and I don't see a car coming, I am X% safe to cross the street here and now." Sure, we seldom articulate it to ourselves that way, but in any sort of cost/benefit scenario, don't we go through some sort of similar analysis? > I mostly stay out of .debate these days but this one just jumped out at me. Honestly, I'm not trying to bait you, but I'd be interested to read anyone's opinions on the dual-edged sword of "useful" statistics. Dave!

Message has 2 Replies:

		Re: The value of reading (was: If you could leave any book on Kjeld's nightstand...)
(...) Yes, I agree with all of the above. Nevertheless it's irrelevant. My question really was to Allan, because I honestly didn't understand what it was he didn't understand about what Chris said. (...) Me too. (23 years ago, 3-Apr-02, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)

		Re: The value of reading (was: If you could leave any book on Kjeld's nightstand...)
(...) I think the point I was trying to make to Christopher was that I didn't realize the debate had turned into a research project. I just thought we were talking about the importance of reading. As it was, I wasn't exactly sure what he was driving (...) (23 years ago, 7-Apr-02, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)

Message is in Reply To:

		Re: The value of reading (was: If you could leave any book on Kjeld's nightstand...)
(...) Allan, are you saying you don't get what the difference between correlation and causality is? Chris's words seem pretty clear to me... there seems to be a statistical link (a correlation) between poverty and education level, to wit, people who (...) (23 years ago, 30-Mar-02, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)

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