Some statistical applications of Poisson's work (Q1087210)

The author takes up some subjects treated by Poisson and competently traces their history up to the present days. Among these subjects are the two different kinds of probability (logical and objective); the law of large numbers; the summation formula which neither Poisson himself (1827) nor Cauchy (1817) ever put to statistical use; the Poisson distribution; judicial decisions. The text includes a discussion by five authors and the author's rejoinder. One of these authors (Herbert Solomon) argues that Poisson's study of the work of the jury is an excellent example of using models in the behavioral sciences. The author does not mention that Cournot had also distinguished between the two kinds of probability and he does not refer either to \textit{S. S. Demidov}, Des parenthèses de Poisson aux algebres de Lie. in: \textit{M. Metivier}, \textit{P. Costabel} and \textit{P.Dugac} (eds.), Siméon-Denis Poisson et la science de son temps. (1981; Zbl 0476.01001) pp. 133-150, or to the reviewer's paper in Arch. History Exact Sci. 18, 245-300 (1978; Zbl 0383.01011)].