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Inverse View
It is not the case that When empirically equivalent rivals exist, observed evidence cannot serve as a sufficient condition for selecting any one theory over its competitors.
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Reasons For
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Reason for
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1.
True empirical equivalence is rare or impossible—apparent equivalence usually dissolves under scrutiny of novel predictions or precision.
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2.
Evidence eliminating all but one theory does provide sufficient justification, even if non-evidential factors also influence choice.
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3.
The claim conflates 'evidence alone' with 'sufficient condition'—evidence can be necessary without being sufficient.
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Reasons Against
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Reason against
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1.
Empirically equivalent theories make identical predictions, so observation cannot logically distinguish between them by definition.
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2.
Additional criteria (simplicity, coherence) are required to choose between empirically equivalent rivals, proving evidence alone is insufficient.
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3.
Underdetermination of theory by evidence is a genuine feature of science that challenges naive empiricism.
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