George Boole

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"No matter how correct a mathematical theorem may appear to be, one ought never to be satisfied that there was not something imperfect about it until it also gives the impression of being beautiful."

—George Boole (1815-1864)

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"That language is an instrument of human reason, and not merely a medium for the expression of thought, is a truth generally admitted."

—George Boole (1815-1864)

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"The general laws of Nature are not, for the most part, immediate objects of perception."

—George Boole (1815-1864)

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"I presume that few who have paid any attention to the history of the Mathematical Analysis, will doubt that it has been developed in a certain order, or that that order has been, to a great extent, necessary -- being determined, either by steps of logical deduction, or by the successive introduction of new ideas and conceptions, when the time for their evolution had arrived."

—George Boole (1815-1864)

probability expectation partial knowledge circumstances

"Probability is expectation founded upon partial knowledge. A perfect acquaintance with all the circumstances affecting the occurrence of an event would change expectation into certainty, and leave nether room nor demand for a theory of probabilities."

—George Boole (1815-1864)

probability expectation partial knowledge

"Probability is the expectation founded upon partial knowledge."

—George Boole (1815-1864)