How to Tell A Pure Actuary From a Lay Actuary

Acute powers of observation are hardly required to recognize that the casualty actuarial fraternity is divided, not sharply but nevertheless clearly, between "pure" actuaries and "lay" actuaries. To be sure, there is a degree of overlap between the two classification: some actuaries covered by the overlap are more pure than lay, some more lay than pure, and some are almost equally pure and lay - they might be termed "pure-lay," or, to simplify the language, "purely" actuaries. At any rate, the intention here is to provide guides so that those of our members who cannot instinctively tell a pure actuary from a lay actuary may become aware of the distinctions and from their newfound knowledge bring more understanding to their relationships with their fellows and associates.