Epistemic Objectivity Behind Inductive Probability: Beyond Carnap-Popper Controversy on the Problem of Inductive Logic

Science neither aims at having the monopoly over the truth about the world nor establishing a dogmatic knowledge. Natural light of experience is held by empiricists to be the reliable source of human knowledge. Inductive logic has been a leading tool of empirical experiments in justifying and confirming scientific theories with evidence. Science cannot reach where it has reached without inductive logic. Inductive logic has, therefore, played an important role in making science what it is today. Inductive logic helps science to justify its theories not form convictional opinions of scientists but from factual propositions. However, inductive logic has been problematic in the sense that its logic of justification led philosophers of science to demarcation, the distinction of episteme from doxa. At present, some philosophers of science and scientists attempt to justify why science carries out a reliable knowledge. Some have argued for structuralism and realism of scientific theories rather than believing in the course of miracles and others for their historicity. Both views are explanatories of how science works and progresses. This essay recalls the arguments for structures of scientific theories and their historicity. First, the essay analyses the controversy between Rudolf Carnap and Karl Popper on how the problem of inductive logic in confirming scientific theories can be solved. In so doing, the essay refers to empirical probabilities as well as the limits calculus. Second, the essay merges frequentist and Bayesian approaches to determine how scientific theories are to be confirmed or refuted. Third, the use of a new form of Bayesian Theorem will show how mathematical and logical structures respond to some of the important questions that arise from the historical and realistic views about scientific theories.The essay argues for epistemic objectivity behind inductive probability, the key issue of the controversy in question, and proves that the truth about the world is symmetric

La Contribution des Institutions de Micro Finance au Financement des Petites et Moyennes Entreprises et l'Autonomisation des Femmes au Burundi

This document examines the contribution of microfinance institutions (MFIs) on the performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and the empowerment of women in Burundi. Its overall objective is to analyze the impact of the services of MFIs on SMEs and women's empowerment. Several specific objectives were formulated and analyses were guided by two assumptions: MFIs are the main source of funding for MFIs one hand, and they are a lever of empowerment of women. The study uses in its methodological aspect a combination of statistical approaches. The study focused on three targets: the IMF on the supply side, SMEs and Beneficiaries of ECCS on the demand side

Investigation on application of Rwanda building standards in local construction industry

The Rwanda Building code is in place from 2015, while the development of Rwanda standards dates from 2006 when the reviewed Law establishing Rwanda Bureau of Standards (RBS) was published. The key role of standards is technically to ensure quality, safety, reliability of constructions as stated the relevant codes. With the construction industry growing very fast, the purpose of this study was to investigate on the application of Rwanda building standards, with regards to the existing code requirements and to identify the relevant gaps. The study was conducted based on initially set specific objectives, while the research methodology was mainly comprised of visits to different public and private agencies related to construction industry, observations on the sites and interview with different experts. The study established that Rwanda building standards were still accused of a low awareness and application as well as noticeable gaps. The level of awareness among all professionals was still at 71%. In general about application, only 55% of respondents confirmed the experience in application of Rwanda building standards, even if this level was higher for some categories. A good part of respondents composing around 57% thought that Rwanda building standards documents were still incomplete. Based on the above findings, adequate strategies for improving the awareness, application process and document completion were proposed; with the introduction of Rwanda building standards into academic curriculum, increase the number of awareness meetings and recognition of adequate research before design or review of any standard, among others.Keywords: Building code, Building Standards, awareness strategy, Law and Regulations, Monitoring proces

Pauvreté monétaire versus non monétaire au Burundi

L’objectif général de l’étude est d’analyser la situation de la pauvreté au Burundi. Pour ce faire, trois objectifs spécifiques sont considérés : évaluer la pauvreté monétaire à l’aide d’une échelle d’équivalence ; construire un indicateur composite de la pauvreté basé sur l’approche multidimensionnelle ; et enfin identifier les principaux déterminants de la pauvreté. L’estimation du modèle d’Engel a permis de dégager trois échelles associées à trois tranches d’âges qui se sont révélées significatives. Il convient dès lors d’utiliser ces coefficients dans les études sur les conditions de vie au Burundi. Nos résultats montrent une sensibilité des mesures de pauvreté selon notre échelle empirique, si l’on ne tient pas compte des échelles. L’application de la méthode de l’analyse des correspondances multiples évalue la prévalence de la pauvreté multidimensionnelle à 70%, c’est à dire légèrement au-dessus de la prévalence de la pauvreté monétaire, évaluée à 69% selon le modèle empirique. Le caractère rural de la pauvreté a été mis en exergue par l’utilisation des approches monétaires et non monétaires. De plus, les tests de dominance stochastique révèlent que le sud et le nord sont les régions les plus touchées par le phénomène de pauvreté. L’utilisation du modèle Probit et Biprobit a permis de mettre en exergue les caractéristiques sociodémographiques qui contribuent le plus à la probabilité d’être pauvre. Des recommandations de politiques de lutte contre la pauvreté sont formulées à partir des résultats de l’étude