| Topic: |
Religions > Atheism |
| User: |
"Bullet" |
| Date: |
09 Mar 2006 11:57:47 AM |
| Object: |
possibility is synonymous with probability |
Synonymous means alike in meaning.
http://m-w.com/dictionary/synonymous
'Possibility' is synonymous with 'probability',
knucklehead. It means 'likelhood'.
http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/thesaurus?book=Thesaurus&va=probability
Now will you, Jeffie, and Virgie please show the numbers you used for
computing the
likelihood there might be a God so that I can check your math?
.
|
|
| User: "Infidel61" |
|
| Title: Re: possibility is synonymous with probability |
09 Mar 2006 12:27:07 PM |
|
|
Bullet wrote:
Synonymous means alike in meaning.
http://m-w.com/dictionary/synonymous
'Possibility' is synonymous with 'probability',
knucklehead. It means 'likelhood'.
http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/thesaurus?book=Thesaurus&va=probability
Now will you, Jeffie, and Virgie please show the numbers you used for
computing the
likelihood there might be a God so that I can check your math?
There is a difference in "possibility" and "probability."
Definitions of possibility on the Web:
* a future prospect or potential; "this room has great possibilities"
* capability of existing or happening or being true; "there is a
possibility that his sense of smell has been impaired"
* hypothesis: a tentative theory about the natural world; a concept
that is not yet verified but that if true would explain certain facts or
phenomena; "a scientific hypothesis that survives experimental testing
becomes a scientific theory"; "he proposed a fresh theory of alkalis
that later was accepted in chemical practices"
* a possible alternative; "bankruptcy is always a possibility"
wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn
Definitions of probability on the Web:
* a measure of how likely it is that some event will occur; a
number expressing the ratio of favorable cases to the whole number of
cases possible; "the probability that an unbiased coin will fall with
the head up is 0.5"
* the quality of being probable; a probable event or the most
probable event; "for a while mutiny seemed a probability"; "going by
past experience there was a high probability that the visitors were lost"
wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn
* The word probability derives from the Latin probare (to prove, or
to test). Informally, probable is one of several words applied to
uncertain events or knowledge, being more or less interchangeable with
likely, risky, hazardous, uncertain, and doubtful, depending on the
context.Chance, odds, and bet are other words expressing similar
notions. ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Probability
* for equally likely outcomes, the number of favourable outcomes
divided by the total number of possible outcomes of an experiment.
en.wikibooks.org/wiki/SA_NCS_Mathematical_Literacy:Glossary
* A branch of mathematics that measures the likelihood that an
event will occur. Probabilities are expressed as numbers between 0 and
1. The probability of an impossible event is 0, while an event that is
certain to occur has a probability of 1.
casino.oddschecker.com/ukonlinecasinos/id/glossary
.
|
|
|
| User: "Bullet" |
|
| Title: Re: possibility is synonymous with probability |
09 Mar 2006 01:18:45 PM |
|
|
"Infidel61" <infidel61@austin.rr.com> wrote
There is a difference in "possibility" and "probability."
No there isn't. both terms mean 'likelhood'.
http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/thesaurus?book=Thesaurus&va=probability
Now will you, Jeffie, and Virgie please show the numbers you used for
computing the likelihood there might be a God so that I can check your math?
.
|
|
|
| User: "Infidel61" |
|
| Title: Re: possibility is synonymous with probability |
09 Mar 2006 02:38:21 PM |
|
|
Bullet wrote:
"Infidel61" <infidel61@austin.rr.com> wrote
There is a difference in "possibility" and "probability."
No there isn't. both terms mean 'likelhood'.
http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/thesaurus?book=Thesaurus&va=probability
Now will you, Jeffie, and Virgie please show the numbers you used for
computing the likelihood there might be a God so that I can check your math?
Don't you think it's a little dishonest to snip out the documentation
that possibility and probability are different?
Your use of a thesaurus doesn't help your contention.
Anyway, possibility has to do with a likelihood. A probability can be
expressed as a ratio and given a numerical value.
.
|
|
|
|
| User: "DanielSan" |
|
| Title: Re: possibility is synonymous with probability |
09 Mar 2006 09:08:26 PM |
|
|
Bullet wrote:
"Infidel61" <infidel61@austin.rr.com> wrote
There is a difference in "possibility" and "probability."
No there isn't. both terms mean 'likelhood'.
http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/thesaurus?book=Thesaurus&va=probability
Now will you, Jeffie, and Virgie please show the numbers you used for
computing the likelihood there might be a God so that I can check your math?
Bullet, can you do me a favor and post the antonyms for both "possible"
and "probable"?
I'll give you a little hint: They are "impossible" and "improbable,"
respectively.
--
****************************************************
* DanielSan -- alt.atheism #2226 *
*--------------------------------------------------*
* "In every country and in every age, the priest *
* has been hostile to liberty. He is always in *
* alliance with the despot, abetting his abuses in *
* return for protection to his own." *
* --Jefferson (in a letter to H. Spafford, 1814) *
****************************************************
--
*** Free account sponsored by SecureIX.com ***
*** Encrypt your Internet usage with a free VPN account from http://www.SecureIX.com ***
.
|
|
|
| User: "Amangi Machque" |
|
| Title: Re: possibility is synonymous with probability |
09 Mar 2006 09:18:35 PM |
|
|
"DanielSan" wrote
: Bullet wrote:
: > "Infidel61" wrote
: >>There is a difference in "possibility" and "probability."
: >
: > No there isn't. both terms mean 'likelhood'.
: >
: > http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/thesaurus?book=Thesaurus&va=probability
: >
: > Now will you, Jeffie, and Virgie please show the numbers you used for
: > computing the likelihood there might be a God so that I can check your
math?
:
: Bullet, can you do me a favor and post the antonyms for both "possible"
: and "probable"?
:
: I'll give you a little hint: They are "impossible" and "improbable,"
: respectively.
Hmm. Now wouldn't that beyond the bounds of possibility and not likely,
respectively? Sounds like a pretty big difference to me.
--
Machque
"Seek wisdom, not knowledge. Knowledge is of the past, Wisdom is of the
future." Lumbee
"The one who tells the stories rules the world." Hopi
"Sing your death song and die like a hero going home." Shawnee
.
|
|
|
|
|
| User: "Virgil" |
|
| Title: Re: possibility is synonymous with probability |
09 Mar 2006 02:48:45 PM |
|
|
In article <2amdnX4UJOTz4o3ZRVn-uA@comcast.com>,
"Bullet" <b@nospam.net> wrote:
"Infidel61" <infidel61@austin.rr.com> wrote
There is a difference in "possibility" and "probability."
No there isn't.
Then there can be no difference between impossibility and improbability
either. But there is!
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| User: "Mike Painter" |
|
| Title: Re: possibility is synonymous with probability |
09 Mar 2006 12:18:03 PM |
|
|
Bullet wrote:
Synonymous means alike in meaning.
http://m-w.com/dictionary/synonymous
'Possibility' is synonymous with 'probability',
knucklehead. It means 'likelhood'.
http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/thesaurus?book=Thesaurus&va=probability
Now will you, Jeffie, and Virgie please show the numbers you used for
computing the
likelihood there might be a God so that I can check your math?
It sounds like karlmath is being used and since I am *the* most renowned and
knowledgeable person in that area I should comment on it.
karlmath holds that the mean equals the median and by extension that
possible = probable. (The proof of this is trivial and is left to the
reader.)
People who accept and *use* this fact would be a lot happier.
E.G.
If I turn a light switch on the light will probably come on.
Therefore if I buy a lottery ticket there is a possibility that I will win.
Since possible = probable the chance of me winning the lottery is about the
same as that of the light coming on.
It is safe to say that if you buy five lottery tickets you will win on at
least three of them.
--
Mike Painter
Head Coach
Chairman of the department of karlmath
Dean of the Raytard/peat college of asstrollogy
Dean of The Daniel N. Adams memorial college of Thinking Out Of The Box.
Holds the Max G. Arnold chair of Scientific Jurisprudence
Only person ever to be nominated for Pope at U. of E.
EAC chief of correcting the mispelled word "pray" to "prey"
.
|
|
|
|
| User: "JessHC, aa#2220 thanks to Jason Gastrichs effort" |
|
| Title: Re: possibility is synonymous with probability |
09 Mar 2006 12:06:52 PM |
|
|
Bullet wrote:
Synonymous means alike in meaning.
http://m-w.com/dictionary/synonymous
'Possibility' is synonymous with 'probability', knucklehead. It means 'likelhood'.
Liar. From your link:
http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/thesaurus?book=Thesaurus&va=probability
Entry Word: probability
Function: noun
Text: 1 the quality or state of being likely to occur <the plot of the
movie thriller was exciting and surprising but woefully lacking in
probability>
Synonyms likelihood, likeliness
Related Words credibility, plausibility; liability; feasibility,
feasibleness, possibility, potentiality, reasonability, viability
Near Antonyms doubtfulness, dubiousness; impracticability,
impracticality; implausibility, incredibility
Antonyms improbability, unlikelihood, unlikeliness
2 a measure of how often an event will occur instead of another <the
probability of flipping a coin and getting heads fifty times in a row
is not good>
Synonyms chance, odds, percentage
Related Words outlook, prospect; possibility, potential, potentiality
http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/thesaurus?book=Thesaurus&va=probability
Now will you, Jeffie, and Virgie please show the numbers you used for computing the
likelihood there might be a God so that I can check your math?
.
|
|
|
| User: "Bullet" |
|
| Title: Re: possibility is synonymous with probability |
09 Mar 2006 01:21:11 PM |
|
|
"JessHC, aa#2220 thanks to Jason Gastrich's effort"
<jesshc@phantomemail.com> wrote in message
news:1141927612.747848.148140@e56g2000cwe.googlegroups.com...
Bullet wrote:
Synonymous means alike in meaning.
http://m-w.com/dictionary/synonymous
'Possibility' is synonymous with 'probability', knucklehead. It means
'likelhood'.
Liar.
No it is true. Both terms mean 'likelhood'.
http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/thesaurus?book=Thesaurus&va=probability
Now will you, Jeffie, and Virgie please show the numbers you used for
computing the likelihood there might be a God so that I can check your math?
.
|
|
|
| User: "JessHC, aa#2220 thanks to Jason Gastrichs effort" |
|
| Title: Re: possibility is synonymous with probability |
09 Mar 2006 03:14:56 PM |
|
|
Bullet wrote:
"JessHC, aa#2220 thanks to Jason Gastrich's effort"
<jesshc@phantomemail.com> wrote in message
news:1141927612.747848.148140@e56g2000cwe.googlegroups.com...
Bullet wrote:
Synonymous means alike in meaning.
http://m-w.com/dictionary/synonymous
'Possibility' is synonymous with 'probability', knucklehead. It means=
'likelhood'.
Liar.
No it is true. Both terms mean 'likelhood'.
It's funny, how you snipped the bit from your own link which does NOT
list "possiblity" as one of the synonyms for "probability," but does
list it as a "related word." "Related" does not mean "synonymous,"
though.
http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/thesaurus?book=3DThesaurus&va=3Dprobability
Now will you, Jeffie, and Virgie please show the numbers you used for
computing the likelihood there might be a God so that I can check your ma=
th?
Being an atheist, I don't care about the "likelihood;" if you've got
evidence, present it. Otherwise, I'll continue in my nonbelief.
http://m-w.com/dictionary/probability
Main Entry: prob=B7a=B7bil=B7i=B7ty
Pronunciation: "pr=E4-b&-'bi-l&-tE
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -ties
1 : the quality or state of being probable
2 : something (as an event or circumstance) that is probable
3 a (1) : the ratio of the number of outcomes in an exhaustive set of
equally likely outcomes that produce a given event to the total number
of possible outcomes (2) : the chance that a given event will occur b :
a branch of mathematics concerned with the study of probabilities
4 : a logical relation between statements such that evidence confirming
one confirms the other to some degree
http://m-w.com/dictionary/probable
Main Entry: 1prob=B7a=B7ble
Pronunciation: 'pr=E4-b&-b&l, 'pr=E4(b)-b&l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, provable, from Middle French, from Latin
probabilis commendable, probable, from probare to test, approve, prove
-- more at PROVE
1 : supported by evidence strong enough to establish presumption but
not proof <a probable hypothesis>
2 : establishing a probability <probable evidence>
3 : likely to be or become true or real <probable events>
Main Entry: pos=B7si=B7ble
Pronunciation: 'p=E4-s&-b&l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin possibilis,
from posse to be able, from potis, pote able + esse to be -- more at
POTENT, IS
1 a : being within the limits of ability, capacity, or realization b :
being what may be done or may occur according to nature, custom, or
manners
2 a : being something that may or may not occur b : being something
that may or may not be true or actual <possible explanation>
3 : having an indicated potential <a possible housing site>
synonyms POSSIBLE, PRACTICABLE, FEASIBLE mean capable of being
realized. POSSIBLE implies that a thing may certainly exist or occur
given the proper conditions <a possible route up the west face of the
mountain>. PRACTICABLE implies that something may be effected by
available means or under current conditions <a practicable route up the
west face of the mountain>. FEASIBLE applies to what is likely to work
or be useful in attaining the end desired <commercially feasible for
mass production>.
Here's the bit tripping you up: "3 : likely to be or become true or
real" (ie., probable; see above) is not equivalent to "2 a : being
something that may or may not occur b : being something that may or may
not be true or actual" (ie, possible; see above)
.
|
|
|
| User: "Hieros Gamos" |
|
| Title: Re: possibility is synonymous with probability |
09 Apr 2006 12:27:17 PM |
|
|
<jesshc@phantomemail.com> wrote
"Related" does not mean "synonymous."
'Relationship' means the way in which people and things are connected to
each other.
'Synonymous' means having a similar meaning.
'Synonymous' is a relationship, the way that possibility and probability are
connected to each other, in that they have a very similar meaning.
.
|
|
|
| User: "Dubh Ghall" |
|
| Title: Re: possibility is synonymous with probability |
09 Apr 2006 06:38:20 PM |
|
|
On Sun, 9 Apr 2006 10:27:17 -0700, "Hieros Gamos" <hieros@gamos.net> wrote:
<jesshc@phantomemail.com> wrote
"Related" does not mean "synonymous."
'Relationship' means the way in which people and things are connected to
each other.
'Synonymous' means having a similar meaning.
'Synonymous' is a relationship, the way that possibility and probability are
connected to each other, in that they have a very similar meaning.
Not really.
In order to have a positive probability index a thing must be possible.
OTOH, a thing does *no* need a probability index greater that zero, in order to
be possible.
.
|
|
|
| User: "Hieros Gamos" |
|
| Title: Re: possibility is synonymous with probability |
09 Apr 2006 08:46:12 PM |
|
|
"Dubh Ghall" <puck@pooks.hill.fey> wrote in message
news:1h6j325unnmaenim01npkn26312i2ihou2@4ax.com...
On Sun, 9 Apr 2006 10:27:17 -0700, "Hieros Gamos" <hieros@gamos.net>
wrote:
<jesshc@phantomemail.com> wrote
"Related" does not mean "synonymous."
'Relationship' means the way in which people and things are connected to
each other.
'Synonymous' means having a similar meaning.
'Synonymous' is a relationship, the way that possibility and probability
are
connected to each other, in that they have a very similar meaning.
Not really.
In order to have a positive probability index a thing must be possible.
OTOH, a thing does *no* need a probability index greater that zero, in
order to
be possible.
How could an event have a likelihood of zero and a likelihood greater than
zero at the same time?
Have the laws if the universe been annulled? 8^)
See http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/thesaurus?book=Thesaurus&va=likelihood
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| User: "Virgil" |
|
| Title: Re: possibility is synonymous with probability |
09 Mar 2006 02:50:59 PM |
|
|
In article <ApednUa8Bt2dHY3ZRVn-iA@comcast.com>,
"Bullet" <b@nospam.net> wrote:
"JessHC, aa#2220 thanks to Jason Gastrich's effort"
<jesshc@phantomemail.com> wrote in message
news:1141927612.747848.148140@e56g2000cwe.googlegroups.com...
Bullet wrote:
Synonymous means alike in meaning.
http://m-w.com/dictionary/synonymous
'Possibility' is synonymous with 'probability', knucklehead. It means
'likelhood'.
Liar.
No it is true. Both terms mean 'likelhood'.
Then "impossibility" must mean the same as "improbability".
But they do not.
Ergo, Septic is WRONG! AGAIN! AS USUAL!
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| User: "Virgil" |
|
| Title: Re: possibility is synonymous with probability |
09 Mar 2006 02:33:45 PM |
|
|
In article <soKdnfEnPaDu8Y3ZnZ2dnUVZ_sSdnZ2d@comcast.com>,
"Bullet" <b@nospam.net> wrote:
'Possibility' is synonymous with 'probability',
knucklehead.
Then impossibility would have to be synonymous with improbability.
Which is NOT the case.
But Septic will be, as usual, quite unable to follow the logic.
.
|
|
|
|
| User: "quibbler" |
|
| Title: Re: possibility is synonymous with probability |
09 Mar 2006 03:29:13 PM |
|
|
In article <soKdnfEnPaDu8Y3ZnZ2dnUVZ_sSdnZ2d@comcast.com>,
b@nospam.net says...
Synonymous means alike in meaning.
http://m-w.com/dictionary/synonymous
'Possibility' is synonymous with 'probability',
Possibility is synonymous with *non-zero* probability, but events
with zero probability are not-possible. So it's true that
probability can describe the possible, but the two are not
completely interchangeable.
--
"Faith, indeed, has up to the present not been
able to move real mountains ... But it can put
mountains where there are none." -- Nietzsche
.
|
|
|
| User: "Michael Gray" |
|
| Title: Re: possibility is synonymous with probability |
10 Mar 2006 02:08:07 AM |
|
|
On Thu, 9 Mar 2006 14:29:13 -0700, quibbler <quibbler247@yahoo.com>
wrote:
- Refer: <MPG.1e7a4c16b889995d98972a@news.readfreenews.net>
In article <soKdnfEnPaDu8Y3ZnZ2dnUVZ_sSdnZ2d@comcast.com>,
b@nospam.net says...
Synonymous means alike in meaning.
http://m-w.com/dictionary/synonymous
'Possibility' is synonymous with 'probability',
Possibility is synonymous with *non-zero* probability, but events
with zero probability are not-possible. So it's true that
probability can describe the possible, but the two are not
completely interchangeable.
To call the two terms "synonymous" is to stretch the term to beyond
breaking point.
Words are our servants, not our masters.
"Possibility" is vitally different from probability.
Most scientists innately understand this.
Woo-woo ouija-board nut-case pseudo-intellectual artists do not
understand it, but conflate the two in order to advance their 'easy on
the mind' fantasies.
That one dictionary editor is unable to see any difference, is no
guide to the veracity of the egregious claim of equivalence, but a
reflection upon his/her critical thinking skills, or lack of them.
.
|
|
|
| User: "quibbler" |
|
| Title: Re: possibility is synonymous with probability |
10 Mar 2006 09:19:48 AM |
|
|
In article <3sc2121lrn2p8tpj17o2uqm1lodh39u38f@4ax.com>,
fleetg@newsguy.spam.com says...
On Thu, 9 Mar 2006 14:29:13 -0700, quibbler <quibbler247@yahoo.com>
wrote:
- Refer: <MPG.1e7a4c16b889995d98972a@news.readfreenews.net>
In article <soKdnfEnPaDu8Y3ZnZ2dnUVZ_sSdnZ2d@comcast.com>,
b@nospam.net says...
Synonymous means alike in meaning.
http://m-w.com/dictionary/synonymous
'Possibility' is synonymous with 'probability',
Possibility is synonymous with *non-zero* probability, but events
with zero probability are not-possible. So it's true that
probability can describe the possible, but the two are not
completely interchangeable.
To call the two terms "synonymous" is to stretch the term to beyond
breaking point.
Agreed, which is why I made it pretty clear the terms are not
interchangeable.
--
Quibbler (quibbler247atyahoo.com)
"It is fashionable to wax apocalyptic about the
threat to humanity posed by the AIDS virus, 'mad cow'
disease, and many others, but I think a case can be
made that faith is one of the world's great evils,
comparable to the smallpox virus but harder to
eradicate." -- Richard Dawkins
.
|
|
|
| User: "Hieros Gamos" |
|
| Title: Re: possibility is synonymous with probability |
09 Apr 2006 07:19:06 PM |
|
|
'Possibility' is synonymous with 'probability',
Possibility is synonymous with *non-zero* probability
That is equivocation. There is no difference between 'zero probability',
'zero possibility', or 'zero likelihood', it all amounts to a big lot of
nothing.
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| User: "John Baker" |
|
| Title: Re: possibility is synonymous with probability |
10 Mar 2006 05:42:54 PM |
|
|
On Thu, 9 Mar 2006 09:57:47 -0800, "Bullet" <b@nospam.net> wrote:
Synonymous means alike in meaning.
http://m-w.com/dictionary/synonymous
'Possibility' is synonymous with 'probability',
knucklehead. It means 'likelhood'.
BZZZZZZT!!! Oh, I'm sorry, that's wrong. But thanks for playing.
.
|
|
|
|
| User: "" |
|
| Title: Re: possibility is [not] synonymous with probability |
09 Mar 2006 08:06:28 PM |
|
|
Septic wrote:
'Possibility' is synonymous with 'probability',
False, Septic. See how many alt dot atheists don't agree with you
atall atall. Bwahahahahaha, Septic. Open mouth, insert foot.
Jeff
.
|
|
|
|
|
Related Articles |
|
|
