Big Data by Wolfgang Pietsch

Big Data by Wolfgang Pietsch

Big Data and methods for analyzing large data sets such as machine learning have in recent times deeply transformed scientific practice in many fields. However, an epistemological study of these novel tools is still largely lacking. After a conceptual analysis of the notion of data and a brief introduction into the methodological dichotomy between inductivism and hypothetico-deductivism, several controversial theses regarding big data approaches are discussed. These include, whether correlation replaces causation, whether the end of theory is in sight and whether big data approaches constitute entirely novel scientific methodology. In this Element, I defend an inductivist view of big data research and argue that the type of induction employed by the most successful big data algorithms is variational induction in the tradition of Mill's methods. Based on this insight, the before-mentioned epistemological issues can be systematically addressed.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9781108706698
ISBN 10	110870669X
Title	Big Data
Author	Wolfgang Pietsch
Series	Elements In The Philosophy Of Science
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Cambridge University Press
Year published	2021-02-18
Number of pages	75
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.