[Y-Indology] Probabilistic/statistical analysis of historical evidence

[Guest guest]

Yashwant wrote:

 

> I am looking for techniques that would algorithmicaly weigh

> conflicting theories (perhaps requiring iterative evaluations),

> rather than rely entirely on personal judgement.

 

I am sorry I do not have the full reference but I read an article in the UK

Guardian newspaper a couple of weeks ago (I think in their Thursday science

/ computer section) about the development and use of techniques that sound

very similar to what you would like, used by US intelligence agencies to

evaluate information in precisely this way. However, I don't suppose they

would necessarily make the details of the algorithms known. But if you are

interested, I'll have a look to see if I can find the article although it

ought to be archived on the Guardian website.

 

Best wishes,

Stephen Hodge