J.M. Keynes and the History of Probability: The Influence of Locke, Leibniz, and Hume

— —

Francisco Javier Aristimuño

J.M. Keynes and the History of Probability

The Influence of Locke, Leibniz, and Hume

Francisco Javier Aristimuño

$305

Hardback

Not in-store but you can order this
How long will it take?

Availability Information

We source books from suppliers in Australia and overseas. For books we don't currently have in stock, the time it takes to get them from our suppliers can vary widely - from a few days to a few months - so we check each book with each supplier to determine the expected time it will take to be supplied to us.

We then advise you accordingly. If the time taken to get any book is too long for you, you can let us know and we will cancel or adjust your order, and refund as required.

To find out the anticipated arrival time for specific items prior to ordering, please contact us by phone or email:

Phone +61 2 9264 3111, or 1800 4 BOOKS (1800 4 26657) if outside Sydney:
option 1 Abbey's Bookshop (Crime, History, Science, Kids & more) • info@abbeys.com.au
option 2 Language Book Centre (ESL & Foreign Languages) • language@abbeys.com.au
option 3 Galaxy Bookshop (Sci-fi, Fantasy, Romance, Graphic Novels) • sf@galaxybooks.com.au

QTY:

English

Routledge
18 March 2025

Historiography; Economic theory & philosophy; Economic history; Philosophy of mathematics; Probability & statistics

Series: Routledge Studies in the History of Economics

John Maynard Keynes is best known for his contributions to economics, yet he spent nearly two decades exploring the concept of probability. His extensive work culminated in A Treatise on Probability (1921), in which he developed a unique notion of probability that continues to divide scholars regarding its relevance to economic theory.

This book delves into the connections between Keynes’s ideas on probability and those of early Enlightenment philosophers, such as Locke, Leibniz, and Hume, who worked on probability before mathematicians claimed ownership over the subject. These authors framed probability as a substitute for knowledge when it is not available. Keynes extended these ideas and engaged directly with Hume on inductive reasoning, placing his concept of probability within a broader philosophical tradition. By tracing these Enlightenment roots, this book provides deeper insight into Keynes’s understanding of probability, clarifying some of the key differences with the subjective approach due to Ramsey and De Finetti. It also summarises the aspects on which probability theory and its corresponding notion of uncertainty are crucial for Keynes’s economic thought, particularly in his General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money.

This book is addressed to readers interested in the philosophy of probability and offers economists a fuller understanding of Keynes’s intellectual framework.

By: Francisco Javier Aristimuño
Imprint: Routledge
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm,
Weight: 530g
ISBN: 9781032430430
ISBN 10: 1032430435
Series: Routledge Studies in the History of Economics
Pages: 188
Publication Date: 18 March 2025
Audience: College/higher education , Primary
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Francisco Javier Aristimuño is Professor of History of Economic Thought and Statistics at the University of Rio Negro, Argentina. He earned his PhD in Economics from the University of Buenos Aires, focusing his research on the relationship between Keynes’s concept of probability and early Enlightenment thought.