Society based on Statistical Probability?

[Ulorian - Agent of Chaos]

As I recall, in those novels there was a theory of prediction based on maths. Society wasn’t based on maths. I’m not clear what a ‘society based on maths’ means.

The theory was used to change the course of history though. I was going with the somewhat and purposely (I assume) open ended definition of a 'society based on math' in the OP.

 

[overgeeked]

Also
Minority Report

Minority Report (film) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Huh. Minority Report has nothing to do with math. Mutant psychics can see the future and predict crimes.

You might want to look at utilitarian philosophy. That’s cold hard math. Things like causing immesurable suffering to one person in exchange for a slight increase in the quality of everyone else’s life. If that doesn’t sell you it fits the Nuremberg Trials definition of evil, that is a complete lack of empathy for other people.

 

[MichaelSomething]

This is how they would settle fights...

 

[MGibster]

You might want to look at utilitarian philosophy. That’s cold hard math. Things like causing immesurable suffering to one person in exchange for a slight increase in the quality of everyone else’s life. If that doesn’t sell you it fits the Nuremberg Trials definition of evil, that is a complete lack of empathy for other people.

This thread got me thinking about utilitarian philosophy as well. It's an interesting thought exercise though. How does society deal with it when the improbable happen? Unlikely doesn't mean impossible after all.

 

[Retros_x]

Minority Report

Wasn't that the opposite of math and just three oracles sitting in bathtubs of magic milk? Felt like a modern version of the oracle of delphi sniffing weed and not ratio.

I also don't understand the question. A society based on math in general or statistical probability like in the title? Whats the difference? The examples read like math is not math but just a stand in for magic? (which feels like the writers just project their misunderstanding and bad school experiences). If math is just math than I don't see how a society would operate different than our real ones.

Utiltarian philosophy is NOT cold hard math btw. it deals with complete unmeasurable dimensions like suffering, quality of life and happiness. Its not based on equations and proofs, its based on rationalization of immorable deeds. You act like you have a good reason for the naughty word you do.

 

[aco175]

Is it more like the Vulcans in Star Trek with them all being 'logical'? Maybe more like the robots in that Will Smith movie where they saved him instead of his child or his wife in the car crash since he showed higher chance of survival?

Is cold logic like this good? Like how justice is supposed to be blind, but there is all these tricks to play on the sympathy of the jury.