The Philosophy of Statistics

Jousairi Hssbullah:
Those of you, the reader of the title of this aeticle  may ask what is the need to talk about philosophy of statistics ( read as statistical data). If you ask like that, it means you are still constrained by the oldway of thinking that statistics are merely a collection of complicated and difficult mathemstical formulas.

Formulas is important. There are no statistics without formulas to measure volumes, trends and relationship between variables. But, the formula alone is not enough. The current modern statistics require a deep interpretation of each data presented. Data meaning, that is what is needed by data users, by stakeholders, by the public.

To deal with the meaning of the data is great fun and all official statistician should like it. It would be more interested if you understand the deepest philosophy of the statistics itself.

To enhance our underdtanding of statistics philosophycally, I like to quote of what Florence Nightingle said: " to understand God's thought, we must study statistics, for these were the measure of His purposes.

What actually statistics are? Statistics define as a body of method for making wise decisions in the face of uncertainty ( WA Wilis). Prof Stephen Sen said that the world of Statistics mostly or much more in common dealing with philosophy than it does with accounting.

If we talk about the power of statistics, it is the power to explain, to explain the reality objectively. Technology has brought remarkable progress in the society but at the same time people love things superficial, quick, verbal language  and loves issues that are not supported by scientific evidences or statistical data. Public becomes more impulsive, freedom of conscience becomes the liberty of abusive, defamatory and seditious.
In this such situation of the world, statistics should and must play a role in restoring freedom of speech sustained by the ability to speak, give ideas and asess things with data, quality data.

With data will make the conversation, discussion, dialog more honest. With data of sheep's weasel behavior ( Een vos verliest  wel zijn haren, maar niet zijn streken) will be reduced. With data, the betrayal of the intelectuals ( la trahision des cleres) will also be minimize. With data, humanbeing can see the world more beautifully ( per excellenza)

World needs a new culture, culture of evidence based in order to make human being of more wise, peaceful and love.

Jousairi Hasbullah
JSHcenter. Bandung July 2018.