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Proof

The Uncertain Science of Certainty

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About this listen

 'Profound and utterly absorbing. Kucharski elegantly explores how proof is not just a mathematical concept but a vital tool in decision-making, justice, and survival' CHRIS VAN TULLEKEN

How far would you go in your search for certainty? And once you get there, how do you convince others?

From the medieval Islamic world to the recent pandemic, scientific progress has relied on different methods of establishing fact from fiction. Today, in the face of ever- increasing disinformation, how we prove things - to ourselves and others - has never felt more urgent.

But there is far more to proof than axioms, theories and scientific laws: when demonstrating that an experimental medical treatment works, persuading a jury of someone's guilt, or deciding whether to trust a new type of financial transaction, weighing up evidence is rarely simple.

Bestselling author, statistician and epidemiologist Adam Kucharski ranges across science, politics, philosophy and economics to explore how truth emerges - and why it falters.©2025 Adam Kucharski (P)2025 Profile Books Ltd History History & Philosophy Science Thought-Provoking Law
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Most relevant
Thoroughly enjoyed listening to the history and evolution behind maths, statistics and data science.
I hated maths at school! This recounting of historical events and how various 'rules' came about, the application during the Covid pandemic and more, actually makes more sense to me now.
The narration made listening easy too.
Great book which I will listen to again 😁

Compelling listening

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I enjoyed the book, though as someone who works with proof professionally, found some parts slow going: the core audience is maybe someone who enjoyed maths/science at school but hasn't done much since. The reading has (to my ear) weird pronunciations of some words that are common in the book (inference, infinitesimal, falsifiable) which I found distracting.

Enjoyable book, less sure about the reading

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It was really engaging and I think I might need to recap a bit before I can summarise it to others as it’s not simple stuff

A real insight into the world of what is true?

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Detailed biographies of key players behind statistics adds life to what can easily be a dry academic subject.

The life in a living proof

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