Rigorous Reasoning

Concept · Best Explanation

Best of a Bad Lot

A concern that the 'best explanation' might still be poor if the real explanation was never among the considered candidates.

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Why it matters

This warning keeps abductive reasoning honest — 'best in the comparison' is not the same as 'correct'.

Where this shows up

Units and lessons using this concept

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Units (1)

Abductive Logic: Arguments to the Best ExplanationStudents learn how arguments to the best explanation work, how to compare competing hypotheses using explanatory virtues, and how to stat…

Lessons (3)

Capstone: Comparing Explanations in Real CasesAbductive Logic: Arguments to the Best ExplanationCritiquing Best-Explanation ArgumentsAbductive Logic: Arguments to the Best ExplanationExplanatory Virtues and Hypothesis ComparisonAbductive Logic: Arguments to the Best Explanation

Related

Other concepts in Best Explanation

Argument to the Best ExplanationCoherenceExplanatory FitExplanatory ScopeHypothesisObservationSimplicity