Geometric Pooling: A User's Guide

Abstract

Much of our information comes to us indirectly, in the form of conclusions others have drawn from evidence they gathered. When we hear these conclusions, how can we modify our own opinions so as to gain the benefit of their evidence? In this article, we study the method known as geometric pooling. We begin by raising objections to a recent argument in support of this method, and then turn to what we take to be better arguments in its favour; finally, we consider a further argument that appeals to the utility of geometric pooling in social settings, and we use our results from earlier in the article to suggest an amendment.