"The systematic study of social numbers in the spirit of natural philosophy was pioneered during the 1660s, and was known for about a century and a half as political arithmetic. Its purpose, when not confined to the calculation of insurance or rates, was the promotion of sound, well-informed state policy. ... , who invented the phrase "political arithmetic" and is thought by many to have had a hand in the composition of 's work, was in full accord with his friend as to the purpose of these studies. Political arithmetic was, in his view, the application of Baconian principles to the art of government."
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Academics from the United StatesNon-fiction authors from the United StatesStanford University alumniPrinceton University alumniHistorians of science
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Theodore Porter
(born 1953) is an American historian of science. He was elected in 2008 to the and was awarded in 2023 the .
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