A comparative study of models for predation and parasitism
A comparative study of models for predation and parasitism
A comparative study of models for predation and parasitism
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observed system,<br />
So : the structure <strong>of</strong> the observed system,<br />
KA : the set <strong>of</strong> all assumed components in the model system,<br />
S~ : the structure <strong>of</strong> the model system,<br />
E : theoretical expectation deduced from KA <strong>and</strong> S.x.<br />
When E <strong>and</strong> 0 are compared, we will get either an agreement or a disagreement,<br />
i.e. E=O or Er respectively, to which various conditions (causes) contribute as<br />
below:<br />
Conditions<br />
C1. K~ <strong>and</strong> S~ are involved in Ka <strong>and</strong> So respectively (so that both K~4 <strong>and</strong> S~<br />
are, at least, not false).<br />
cu. if KA <strong>and</strong> S~ are both sufficient, then E=O.<br />
c~2. if either KA or S:~ is inadequate, then E~ O.<br />
c~a. if O is false or inadequate under c~I, then E:~O.<br />
Cz. Ko does not involve the whole <strong>of</strong> K~, <strong>and</strong>/or So does not involve the whole<br />
<strong>of</strong> S.~ (so that KA <strong>and</strong>/or S.n are/is, at least partly, false),<br />
c21. if false parts <strong>of</strong> Ka <strong>and</strong> Sn, or false parts <strong>of</strong> O <strong>and</strong> K~, (or S:,z), are<br />
adjusted so that they cancel out each other, then E-O.<br />
c~2. if not c21, then Er<br />
Now, one can claim that his hypothesis is right only when c, under C~ holds.<br />
However, the fact that an agreement (E~O) exists is not sufficient to establish the<br />
hypothesis, since E=O also occurs when c~1 under C2 is involved. There<strong>for</strong>e, if a<br />
comparison between E <strong>and</strong> O is the only available method, we have to be contented<br />
with an assessment <strong>of</strong> the relative credibility <strong>of</strong> these causes. The assessment can<br />
be done much the same way as <strong>for</strong> the calculation <strong>of</strong> the LAPLACIAN probability (see<br />
BURNSIDE 1928 ; POL~CA 1955).<br />
Let Pr {E=O} be the probability <strong>of</strong> event (E=O) taking place. As it takes place<br />
either when cu or when C~l is involved (the probability <strong>of</strong> which will be written as<br />
Pr {(E=O) ]c~} <strong>and</strong> Pr {(E=O) Icy} respectively), we get<br />
Pr{E=O} =Pr{(E=O) i c~} +Pr{(E=O) !c2~.<br />
Also, as C~l is dependent on C~,<br />
Pr{(E=O) [c,} =Pr~c,}Pr{C~}<br />
<strong>and</strong> similarly,<br />
Pr { (E= O) I ce~} =Pr {c~x} Pr {C~}.<br />
From these <strong>for</strong>mulae, the following conclusions are drawn. If Ka is comprised<br />
<strong>of</strong> only those components which are either axiomatic, a priori (known to be true<br />
without appeal to the particular facts <strong>of</strong> evidence), or can be deduced from concepts<br />
already known to be true, Ka must be involved in Ko. In other words, Pr {C~} is<br />
high but Pr {C2~ is low. There<strong>for</strong>e. if an agreement (E=O) was observed under<br />
these circumstances, Pr{(E-O) [cH[ is high as compared with Pr {(E=O) lc2~} ; i. e.<br />
the credibility<br />
<strong>of</strong> reasoning that the agreement is due to a right hypothesis is com-