Bernardo J.-M., DeGroot M.H., Lindley D.V., Smith A.F.M. (eds.) Bayesian Statistics: Proceedings of the First International Meeting held in Valencia

Valencia: Valencia University Press, 1980. — 647 p.At conferences devoted to the foun(lations of proDability and statistics, it is natural that attention siould focus on points of division between supporters of rival schools of tiouglt. The resulting confrontation of ideas and personalities in sucll contexts is often stimulating and useful in sharpening perceptions about one's own and otier viewpoints. But even at statistical meetings of a more general nature, a presentation
or contribution from a statistician making positive use of Bayesian ideas all too often precipitates heated discussion spout foLlndalional ideas, with little or no attention directed to the ctetailed ideas or methods being put forward.
This can he frustrating for tlose interested IU Specific teoretical or applied problems. As in other areas of statistical discourse, the concentration on cleavage - to the exclusion of other features of interest- may Ie superficially entertaining, Out it is not ultimately very productive. And so Dart of our original motivation in orgaulzmg an International Meeting on Bayesian Statistics grew from tlae feeling that, although we are all loyal members of the good ship Statistics. there are times when a minority of tle crew feel the need to iead off into waters of their own choosing,
unconstrmned hy existing charts and freed from the need to debate navigational philosopiy before setting sail.