Neyman-Pearson Hypothesis Testing, Epistemic Reliability and Pragmatic Value-Laden Asymmetric Error Risks

Abstract

Neyman and Pearson's theory of testing hypotheses does not warrant minimal epistemic reliability: the feature of driving to true conclusions more often than to false ones. The theory does not protect from the possible negative effects of the pragmatic value-laden unequal setting of error probabilities on the theory's epistemic reliability. Most importantly, in the case of a negative impact, no methodological adjustment is available to neutralize it, so in such cases, the discussed pragmatic-value-ladenness of the theory inevitably compromises the goal of attaining truth.