Skip to content
Carmelics
TopicsThinkersChangesContributorsLoading account…

    Carmelics

    A reasoning platform. Break down any belief into clear reasons, explore both sides, and weigh the evidence honestly.

    Navigate

    • Topics
    • Search
    • Recent Changes
    • Contribute
    • How It Works
    • Glossary
    • Thinkers
    • Contributors
    • About
    • Statistics
    • Terms
    • Privacy

    Database

    Statements
    —
    Perspectives
    —
    Topics
    —

    Press ? for keyboard shortcuts

    LoyalLoyalJusticeJustice
    Made withinDC&Austin
    Statements
    321,452
    Perspectives
    108,905
    Topics
    42
    Boyd's argument therefore uses abduction to establish a r... — Carmelics
    Home
    HistoryEditSee Inverse

    Part of a larger discussion

    Challenges→Boyd's argument for the reliability of abduction is not viciously circular

    Boyd's argument therefore uses abduction to establish a reliability claim that abduction's own track record in science actively undermines.

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

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
    ?
    • 1.Abduction has produced false theories (phlogiston, ether, miasma) despite seeming empirically justified at the time.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Using abduction to defend abduction's reliability commits circular reasoning in the face of counterexamples.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Historical track records of inference methods constrain what we can legitimately claim about their future reliability.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.Failed past abductions don't undermine current abductions; science improved methodology to filter bad inferences.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Abduction's track record overall supports reliability: most accepted scientific theories emerged via abduction and endured.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Using our best available inference method to evaluate inference methods is rational, not viciously circular.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Sign in or register to share your perspective on this statement.

    Next step

    Based on where you are in your exploration

    Strongest counterpoint
    Explore the most compelling reason on the other side.

    Connections

    2 topics

    Truth & Knowledge1 linkedSkepticism1 linked

    Related

    Abduction has produced false theories (phlogiston, ether, miasma) despite seemin...Abduction's track record overall supports reliability: most accepted scientific ...Boyd's argument for the reliability of abduction is not viciously circularFailed past abductions don't undermine current abductions; science improved meth...
    +3 moreShow less
    Historical track records of inference methods constrain what we can legitimately...Using abduction to defend abduction's reliability commits circular reasoning in ...Using our best available inference method to evaluate inference methods is ratio...

    Details

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