Joe Lau's wiki: Main/Inference To The Best Explanation

Inference to the best explanation

Readings

• Lipton. 2004. Inference to the best explanation. 2nd edition. Routledge.

Inferential virtues

• Simplicity, mechanism, fertility (fruitfulnesss), precision, scope, coherence with background beliefs (unity, consilience)

Hungerford's objection

• "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" - What counts as the best theory is relative.
• Lipton: Relative to accessible evidence, but not that relative.

Voltaire's objection

• We might not be in the best possible world. The best theory need not be true.
• Lipton: Reduces to Hume's problem.

Category.SciNotes