The Birthday of Arthur R. Miller (1934) — Mathematics of Law

Arthur Miller was a prominent legal scholar who championed the use of mathematics in law — from statistical evidence to class action certification. The mathematics of law includes probability (beyond reasonable doubt), sampling (jury selection), and game theory (plea bargaining). Miller argued that courts must understand statistical reasoning to avoid miscarriages of justice, such as the prosecutor’s fallacy (confusing P(evidence | innocence) with P(innocence | evidence)). His work helped bring quantitative literacy into the courtroom.