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Materinaduszka Posted 15 years ago
Vocabulary
Probability vs. possibility
Hello,
how do You think, which of the notions: probability or possibility, is closer to facts actually happening in the future? Which one is stronger in the sense of implying tight connection to reality?
Marta
how do You think, which of the notions: probability or possibility, is closer to facts actually happening in the future? Which one is stronger in the sense of implying tight connection to reality?
Marta
Top answer
I'm not sure I agree that one is more tightly connected to reality , but my answer to your basic question is that probability is more likely than possibility. It is possible that the war will end this week, but I think it more probable that it will last until next month.
- I'm not sure I agree that one is more tightly connected to reality , but my answer to your basic question is that probability is more likely than possibility.
- It is possible that the war will end this week, but I think it more probable that it will last until next month.
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6 Answers
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I'm not sure I agree that one is more tightly connected to reality, but my answer to your basic question is that probability is more likely than possibility.
It is possible that the war will end this week, but I think it more probable that it will last until next month.
It is possible that the war will end this week, but I think it more probable that it will last until next month.
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materinaduszkawhich of the notions: probability or possibility, is closer to facts actually happening in the future?Neither. However, "probability" has primacy in that "possibility" can be defined in terms of "probability". Whenever something is possible, it has a probability that is not zero. Things that are impossible have a probability of zero. Future
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To understand the difference between possbility and probability it is helpful to use and example.
If you think of fliping a coin, then there are two probable (likely) outcomes: getting either heads or tails. It is possible the the coin lands on it's side and is neither heads nor tails, but that outcome is not likely.
Likelihood, then becomes the basis for differentiating probabil
If you think of fliping a coin, then there are two probable (likely) outcomes: getting either heads or tails. It is possible the the coin lands on it's side and is neither heads nor tails, but that outcome is not likely.
Likelihood, then becomes the basis for differentiating probabil
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This is an easy one. Probability gives the meaning of likelihood. Possibility does not give the meaning of likelihood, it is a negation of impossibility and necessity.
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