Mechanisms and inference to the best explanation
Paul Thagard’s approach
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.23925/2316-5278.2025v26i1:e70005Keywords:
Inference to the best explanation, Paul Thagard, Scientific mechanismsAbstract
Non-deductive inferences do not imply certainty; however, they are paramount on science (for induction, probabilistic reasoning and inference of the best explanation). Paul Thagard attempted to develop a notion – the notion of mechanisms – in order to show that, although they do not guarantee certainty, they can mitigate the problems suggested by a non-deductive approach by contributing to the understanding of the possible causes of a phenomenon. This paper deals with Thagard's concept of mechanisms concerning inference to the best explanation.
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