What did Fisher mean by "inverse probability" in 1912--1922?

What did Fisher mean by "inverse probability" in 1912--1922?

A. W. F. Edwards

Source: Statist. Sci. Volume 12, Number 3 (1997), 177-184.

Abstract

The method of maximum likelihood was introduced by R. A. Fisher in 1912, but not until 1922 under that name. This paper seeks to elucidate what Fisher understood by the phrase "inverse probability," which he used in various ways before defining "likelihood" in 1921 to clarify his meaning.

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Keywords: R.A. Fisher; inverse probability; likelihood; history of statistics

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Permanent link to this document: http://projecteuclid.org/euclid.ss/1030037907
Mathematical Reviews number (MathSciNet): MR1617520
Digital Object Identifier: doi:10.1214/ss/1030037907
Zentralblatt MATH identifier: 0955.62526

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