Single Idea 17060

[catalogued under 14. Science / D. Explanation / 3. Best Explanation / a. Best explanation]

Full Idea

Gilbert Harman introduced the term 'inference to the best explanation', and argued that it is the core notion of epistemology.

Gist of Idea

Best Explanation is the core notion of epistemology

Source

report of Gilbert Harman (The Inference to the Best Explanation [1974]) by J.J.C. Smart - Explanation - Opening Address p. 01

Book Reference

'Explanation and Its Limits', ed/tr. Knowles,Dudley [CUP 1990], p.1


A Reaction

Hard to assess that, but it sounds right. I'm a fan of coherence theories of justification, and also coherence theories of explanation, and there is a neat package there somewhere.