Propensity vs. Probability
What is the semantic difference between propensity and probability?
I'm thinking of a context like "Given his habbits, he has a high probability of dying of cancer".
Would the choice between propensity and probability be entirely taste-based here? Are there cases where they cannot be used synonymous.
synonyms
asked 9 hours ago
sheßsheß
1114
add a comment |
What is the semantic difference between propensity and probability?
I'm thinking of a context like "Given his habbits, he has a high probability of dying of cancer".
Would the choice between propensity and probability be entirely taste-based here? Are there cases where they cannot be used synonymous.
synonyms
asked 9 hours ago
sheßsheß
1114
I've put in an answer, but do note you can just glance in a dictionary for this one!
– Fattie
9 hours ago
I have a probability for mischief...
– Jim
2 hours ago
add a comment |
What is the semantic difference between propensity and probability?
I'm thinking of a context like "Given his habbits, he has a high probability of dying of cancer".
Would the choice between propensity and probability be entirely taste-based here? Are there cases where they cannot be used synonymous.
synonyms
asked 9 hours ago
sheßsheß
1114
What is the semantic difference between propensity and probability?
I'm thinking of a context like "Given his habbits, he has a high probability of dying of cancer".
Would the choice between propensity and probability be entirely taste-based here? Are there cases where they cannot be used synonymous.
synonyms
synonyms
asked 9 hours ago
sheßsheß
1114
asked 9 hours ago
sheßsheß
1114
asked 9 hours ago
sheßsheß
1114
asked 9 hours ago
sheßsheß
1114
asked 9 hours ago
sheßsheß
1114
1114
I've put in an answer, but do note you can just glance in a dictionary for this one!
– Fattie
9 hours ago
I have a probability for mischief...
– Jim
2 hours ago
add a comment |
I've put in an answer, but do note you can just glance in a dictionary for this one!
– Fattie
9 hours ago
I have a probability for mischief...
– Jim
2 hours ago
I've put in an answer, but do note you can just glance in a dictionary for this one!
– Fattie
9 hours ago
I've put in an answer, but do note you can just glance in a dictionary for this one!
– Fattie
9 hours ago
I have a probability for mischief...
– Jim
2 hours ago
I have a probability for mischief...
– Jim
2 hours ago
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
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oldest
votes
They're totally, utterly, different and totally unrelated.
A "propensity" is a quality of a person.
For example, I have a propensity to drink too much, I have a propensity to post on the ELU site, I have a propensity to get drunk (mentioned that one!), you have a propensity to watch sci-fi movies, etc etc.
"Probability" is a mathematical term and is just totally unrelated.
It has nothing at all to do with describing a person's propensities.
So, the probability of tossing heads is 50%, smokers have a 73% probability of cancer, I have a 88% probability of liver damage, etc etc.
"Propensity" is a quality of a person - simply, it relates to their choices in life.
(Your particular example perhaps leads to confusion, because, the sentence happens to include "a person" in the sentence. But notice it is totally unrelated to their propensities - i.e., "things they like to do / usually choose". You're just stating a mathematical probability. "Research shows that for his habits, he has a 82% probability of contracting cancer.")
answered 9 hours ago
FattieFattie
9,60322456
add a comment |
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1 Answer
1
active
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votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
They're totally, utterly, different and totally unrelated.
A "propensity" is a quality of a person.
For example, I have a propensity to drink too much, I have a propensity to post on the ELU site, I have a propensity to get drunk (mentioned that one!), you have a propensity to watch sci-fi movies, etc etc.
"Probability" is a mathematical term and is just totally unrelated.
It has nothing at all to do with describing a person's propensities.
So, the probability of tossing heads is 50%, smokers have a 73% probability of cancer, I have a 88% probability of liver damage, etc etc.
"Propensity" is a quality of a person - simply, it relates to their choices in life.
(Your particular example perhaps leads to confusion, because, the sentence happens to include "a person" in the sentence. But notice it is totally unrelated to their propensities - i.e., "things they like to do / usually choose". You're just stating a mathematical probability. "Research shows that for his habits, he has a 82% probability of contracting cancer.")
answered 9 hours ago
FattieFattie
9,60322456
add a comment |
They're totally, utterly, different and totally unrelated.
A "propensity" is a quality of a person.
For example, I have a propensity to drink too much, I have a propensity to post on the ELU site, I have a propensity to get drunk (mentioned that one!), you have a propensity to watch sci-fi movies, etc etc.
"Probability" is a mathematical term and is just totally unrelated.
It has nothing at all to do with describing a person's propensities.
So, the probability of tossing heads is 50%, smokers have a 73% probability of cancer, I have a 88% probability of liver damage, etc etc.
"Propensity" is a quality of a person - simply, it relates to their choices in life.
(Your particular example perhaps leads to confusion, because, the sentence happens to include "a person" in the sentence. But notice it is totally unrelated to their propensities - i.e., "things they like to do / usually choose". You're just stating a mathematical probability. "Research shows that for his habits, he has a 82% probability of contracting cancer.")
answered 9 hours ago
FattieFattie
9,60322456
add a comment |
They're totally, utterly, different and totally unrelated.
A "propensity" is a quality of a person.
For example, I have a propensity to drink too much, I have a propensity to post on the ELU site, I have a propensity to get drunk (mentioned that one!), you have a propensity to watch sci-fi movies, etc etc.
"Probability" is a mathematical term and is just totally unrelated.
It has nothing at all to do with describing a person's propensities.
So, the probability of tossing heads is 50%, smokers have a 73% probability of cancer, I have a 88% probability of liver damage, etc etc.
"Propensity" is a quality of a person - simply, it relates to their choices in life.
(Your particular example perhaps leads to confusion, because, the sentence happens to include "a person" in the sentence. But notice it is totally unrelated to their propensities - i.e., "things they like to do / usually choose". You're just stating a mathematical probability. "Research shows that for his habits, he has a 82% probability of contracting cancer.")
answered 9 hours ago
FattieFattie
9,60322456
They're totally, utterly, different and totally unrelated.
A "propensity" is a quality of a person.
For example, I have a propensity to drink too much, I have a propensity to post on the ELU site, I have a propensity to get drunk (mentioned that one!), you have a propensity to watch sci-fi movies, etc etc.
"Probability" is a mathematical term and is just totally unrelated.
It has nothing at all to do with describing a person's propensities.
So, the probability of tossing heads is 50%, smokers have a 73% probability of cancer, I have a 88% probability of liver damage, etc etc.
"Propensity" is a quality of a person - simply, it relates to their choices in life.
(Your particular example perhaps leads to confusion, because, the sentence happens to include "a person" in the sentence. But notice it is totally unrelated to their propensities - i.e., "things they like to do / usually choose". You're just stating a mathematical probability. "Research shows that for his habits, he has a 82% probability of contracting cancer.")
answered 9 hours ago
FattieFattie
9,60322456
edited 3 hours ago
answered 9 hours ago
FattieFattie
9,60322456
answered 9 hours ago
FattieFattie
9,60322456
answered 9 hours ago
FattieFattie
9,60322456
9,60322456
add a comment |
add a comment |
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I've put in an answer, but do note you can just glance in a dictionary for this one!
– Fattie
9 hours ago
I have a probability for mischief...
– Jim
2 hours ago