On the relevance of the Bayesian approach to Statistics.

Authors: Christian P. Robert
Subjects: Methodology
link: http://arxiv.org/abs/0909.5369
Abstract

We argue here about the relevance and the ultimate unity of the Bayesian
approach in a non-conflicting and non-antagonistic manner. Our main theme is
that Bayesian data analysis is an effective tool for handling complex models,
as proven by the increasing proportion of Bayesian studies in the applied
sciences. We disregard in this essay the philosophical debates on the deeper
meaning of probability and on the random nature of parameters as things of the
past that do a disservice to the approach and are incomprehensible to most
bystanders.