Skip to content
Carmelics
Topics
Thinkers
Changes
Contributors
Loading account…
Statements
321,452
Perspectives
108,905
Topics
42
Home
/
Original
/
inverse
See Original
Inverse View
It is not the case that The analogy to astronomy conflates inference to the best explanation with inference to a uniquely innate explanation.
?
Set your confidence on the premises below to see your aggregate.
Reasons For
1 perspective
Reason for
?
1.
Inferring to best explanation legitimately includes structural constraints; innate properties are sometimes the best empirical explanation.
?
How convincing is this?
Think about whether this reason is strong or weak
2.
Astronomy regularly infers to uniquely specified mechanisms (e.g., black holes); inferring to specific causal structures isn't inherently fallacious.
?
How convincing is this?
Think about whether this reason is strong or weak
3.
Language universals across isolated populations suggest innateness may be genuinely the best explanation, not a conflation of distinct inference types.
?
How convincing is this?
Think about whether this reason is strong or weak
Reasons Against
1 perspective
Reason against
?
1.
Astronomy infers distant objects exist through observable evidence; the analogy wrongly assumes language must be innate because it's best explained.
?
How convincing is this?
Think about whether this reason is strong or weak
2.
Best explanations can invoke learning, culture, or environmental factors; innateness is just one possible explanation among many.
?
How convincing is this?
Think about whether this reason is strong or weak
3.
The analogy commits a false dichotomy: assuming either something is innate or it cannot be adequately explained by inference.
?
How convincing is this?
Think about whether this reason is strong or weak
Next step
Based on where you are in your exploration
Strongest counterpoint
Explore the most compelling reason on the other side.