2019/02/08 by S. D. Poisson, S. -D. Poisson, Poisson, S. -D.
Economics, Econometrics and Finance · Mathematics · Social Sciences · #01-02 (primary) #60-03 (secondary) #62-03 (secondary) #97-03 (secondary) #FOS: Mathematics #History and Overview (math.HO) #Jury Decision Making Processes #Law, Economics, and Judicial Systems #math.HO #msc:01-02 #msc:60-03 #msc:62-03 #msc:97-03
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1902.02782
252 pages
arxiv created 2019/02/08 · openalex publication_date 2019/02/08 · arxiv updated 2019/02/11 · openalex created_date 2019/02/21 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
In spite of its title, the book mostly treats probability theory: the law of large numbers (regarded as a principle); formal definition of a random variable and law of distribution; the misnamed Cauchy distribution; functions now named after Dirac; difference between objective and subjective probabilities; approximation of the Bernoulli theorem for rare events (but not yet the Poisson distribution); investigation of the significance of empirical discrepancies. Following Laplace, he actually attributed probability to applied mathematics. Poisson calculated the optimal number of jurors and of their majority for conviction/exoneration of the accused and in general studied the conditions enabling to minimize miscarriage of justice. He replaced guilty and innocent by convictable or not.