17  History of Statistical Theory

Settling In

  • Check Slack for announcements
  • Review your notes from the pre-class reading and prepare to discuss!



Discussion

In small groups, reflect on the article you read before class today: How Eugenics Shaped Statistics: Exposing the damned lies of three science pioneers.

Take 20–30 minutes to discuss the prompts below, or anything else about the article that comes to mind. Use this Google Doc to take notes on and share highlights from your discussion.

  • Summarize the author’s main arguments.

  • Share and discuss any specific passages or quotes that particularly stand out to you.

  • What aspects of this article did you find most surprising? What aspects of the article resonated most with you? How did this article connect to, or contradict, ideas you’ve come across in other courses? Why?

  • Galton, Pearson, and Fisher all made arguments in support of the eugenics movement on the basis of the objectivity of statistics and, by extension, statisticians. However, many statisticians would now argue that statistics is not objective. How have you viewed data and statistics in the past? Can you think of any examples that highlight how our opinions and worldview can impact our work as (theoretical) statisticians?

  • The author argues that in addition to “free[ing] itself from the ideal of being perfectly objective,” statistics also needs to “repair the logic of its methods.” Do you agree? If so, which methods do you think are in need of repair?

  • This article focuses on three statisticians: Galton, Pearson, and Fisher.

    • Which of the methods we’ve discussed in this class were developed by one of these three statisticians?

    • See if you can figure out which statisticians are credited with creating the other methods we’ve discussed in this class. Look them up and see what you learn!

    • Check out this database, created by Pomona College Professor Jo Hardin, which highlights other statisticians who are worth knowing!

  • Think the connection between statistics and Eugenics is a thing of the past? Think again. Read the recent New York Times article Genetic Data From Over 20,000 U.S. Children Misused for “Race Science” and discuss.



Wrapping Up