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    An indefinitely large number of competing hypotheses can ... — Carmelics
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    Challenges→There is at least some provisional reason for thinking that hypothesis h might actually be true.

    An indefinitely large number of competing hypotheses can equally explain any surprising fact e, making none individually privileged.

    ?Rate how convincing each reason is below to see the overall strength.
    1 reason for
    1 reason against

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
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    • 1.For any observation, we can always construct ad hoc hypotheses with auxiliary assumptions that retroactively fit the evidence.
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    • 2.Empirical equivalence between theories means no amount of observational data alone can logically eliminate all alternatives.
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    • 3.Historical science shows multiple competing frameworks (geocentrism vs heliocentrism) explained the same astronomical facts.
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    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.Explanatory power differs: simpler, more unified hypotheses predict novel phenomena better than ad hoc alternatives.
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    • 2.In practice, competing hypotheses face different burdens of proof; unfalsifiable hypotheses cannot be scientifically defended.
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    • 3.The claim itself is self-undermining: if indefinitely many explanations work equally, the claim itself has no privileged support.
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    Natural Theology1 linked

    Related

    Empirical equivalence between theories means no amount of observational data alo...Explanatory power differs: simpler, more unified hypotheses predict novel phenom...For any observation, we can always construct ad hoc hypotheses with auxiliary as...Historical science shows multiple competing frameworks (geocentrism vs heliocent...
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    In practice, competing hypotheses face different burdens of proof; unfalsifiable...The claim itself is self-undermining: if indefinitely many explanations work equ...There is at least some provisional reason for thinking that hypothesis h might a...

    Details

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    claim
    Perspectives
    2 (1 for, 1 against)
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    1 edit