| 2005 Summer Seminar |
—Milo Schield, Ph.D.
Course Description:
Epidemiological reasoning uses statistical associations to measure causal connections. In an epidemic, statistical associations provide useful evidence because a new causal factor is presumed. In other situations, epidemiological reasoning may be less helpful and may constitute epistemic abuse. Epidemiological reasoning was first applied to public policy in the case of smoking and lung cancer. Subsequent U.S. Surgeon General Reports identified obesity and second-hand smoke as causes of health problems. The 2004 U.S. Surgeon General's Report, Milo Schield will argue, is the worst such report in terms of the epistemic violence done to our understanding of causation.
Dr. Milo Schield teaches statistical literacy to humanities majors and directs the W. M. Keck Statistical Literacy Project at Augsburg College. In his latest book, "More Damned Lies and Statistics", Joel Best cited Milo as "the leading voice" of the statistical literacy movement.
Schedule: Tuesday, 2:15-3:30 PM
Track: Political/Cultural Commentary