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Single Idea 6360

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

Full Idea

The confirmation of scientific theories is probably best viewed in terms of inference to the best explanation.

Gist of Idea

Scientific confirmation is best viewed as inference to the best explanation

Source

J Pollock / J Cruz (Contemporary theories of Knowledge (2nd) [1999], §2.3.3.3)

Book Ref

Pollock,J.L./Cruz,J: 'Contemporary Theories of Knowledge (2nd)' [Rowman and Littlefield 1999], p.41

A Reaction

A simple claim, but one with which I strongly agree. 'Inference', of course, implies that there is some fairly strict logical thinking going on, which may not be so. I suspect that dogs can move to the best explanation. It is, though, a rational process.

The 26 ideas with the same theme [aim of picking the best from among explanations]:

1678 Universals give better explanations, because they are self-explanatory and primitive [Aristotle]
13158 The Copernican theory is right because it is the only one offering a good explanation [Leibniz]
16835 The Methods of Difference and of Agreement are forms of inference to the best explanation [Mill, by Lipton]
16861 A false theory could hardly rival the explanatory power of natural selection [Darwin]
14790 'Abduction' is beginning a hypothesis, particularly if it includes preference of one explanation over others [Peirce]
14791 Abduction involves original suggestions, and not just the testing involved in induction [Peirce]
5363 If the cat reappears in a new position, presumably it has passed through the intermediate positions [Russell]
5367 Belief in real objects makes our account of experience simpler and more systematic [Russell]
18713 If an explanation is good, the symbol is used properly in the future [Wittgenstein]
17676 Best explanations explain the most by means of the least [Armstrong]
17060 Best Explanation is the core notion of epistemology [Harman, by Smart]
16824 Is Inference to the Best Explanation nothing more than inferring the likeliest cause? [Lipton]
16817 Best Explanation as a guide to inference is preferable to best standard explanations [Lipton]
16818 The 'likeliest' explanation is the best supported; the 'loveliest' gives the most understanding [Lipton]
16820 Finding the 'loveliest' potential explanation links truth to understanding [Lipton]
16819 IBE is inferring that the best potential explanation is the actual explanation [Lipton]
16828 IBE is not passive treatment of data, but involves feedback between theory and data search [Lipton]
16844 A contrasting difference is the cause if it offers the best explanation [Lipton]
16853 We select possible explanations for explanatory reasons, as well as choosing among them [Lipton]
3232 Abduction could have true data and a false conclusion, and may include data not originally mentioned [Rey]
6360 Scientific confirmation is best viewed as inference to the best explanation [Pollock/Cruz]
17599 The best theory has the highest subjective (Bayesian) probability? [Thagard]
4634 Abduction aims at simplicity, testability, coherence and comprehensiveness [Baggini /Fosl]
4637 To see if an explanation is the best, it is necessary to investigate the alternative explanations [Baggini /Fosl]
6785 Inference to the Best Explanation is done with facts, so it has to be realist [Bird]
17403 The periodic table suggests accommodation to facts rates above prediction [Scerri]