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The dissemination of divination in roman republican times

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as specified <strong>in</strong> equation 3, but it does not matter how useful a <strong>div<strong>in</strong>ation</strong> practice is, it will still<br />

follow the demand curve.<br />

Ad 3) This equation states that the probability that a practice will be adopted <strong>in</strong> a given context<br />

depends on the credibility value <strong>of</strong> the practice plus the utility <strong>of</strong> the practice <strong>in</strong> that context<br />

<strong>times</strong> the frequency that the context arises. We saw four examples <strong>of</strong> this <strong>in</strong> the history section<br />

above.<br />

Ad 4) This equation states that the probability that a practice will survive for a longer period <strong>of</strong><br />

time depends on its credibility value and <strong>dissem<strong>in</strong>ation</strong>. Although the probability is C + D, we<br />

have to take <strong>in</strong> to account that C and D are related as specified <strong>in</strong> equation 2. <strong>The</strong> probability that<br />

a practice will survive can be sketched as <strong>in</strong> figure 9.2. below:<br />

Dissem<strong>in</strong>ation<br />

Low<br />

Medium<br />

High<br />

Credibility value<br />

Figure 9.2. Probability <strong>of</strong> survival <strong>of</strong> a <strong>div<strong>in</strong>ation</strong> practice<br />

<strong>The</strong> reason why the l<strong>in</strong>es decl<strong>in</strong>e towards the right is because they denote the probable cut <strong>of</strong>f<br />

determ<strong>in</strong>ed by equation 2). This follows from the demand curve that similarly decl<strong>in</strong>es towards<br />

the right (Mulhearn & Vane 1999: 28): It is therefore improbable that there would be any<br />

187

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