Chapter 10

Question 0

Standard form of IBE (Inferences to the Best explanation) (4):

Answer 0

1. Observation
2. Explanation
3. Comparison
4. Conclusion

Question 1

Inferences to the Best Explanation Definition:

Form of _______ argument.

Answer 1

Definition: A claim or hypothesis gains support if it enables us to explain something we cannot.
*Inductive

Question 2

If Explanation can account for _________, this makes it ______

Answer 2

phenomenon, best.

Question 3

Why if explanations can account for phenomena, it makes it good? (2)

Answer 3

1. Justifies our belief in a conclusion via IBE (Derive explanation from observation. If x explains for something, then it is defeasible evidence for explanation to be true.)
2. Compared to possible alternatives, or absence of explanations.

Question 4

What does account for mean, in “Explanation can account for phenomena (IBE).” ? (2)

Answer 4

1. Increase ability to understand observations or other knowledge.
2. Increase ability to make reliable predictions.

Question 5

Which Explanations are the best? Why Choose one over a competing alternative? Virtues of STRONG IBEs? (6)

Answer 5

1. IBE needs to “actually” explain. (need to make sense and account for all relevant phenomena).
2. Must be DEEP (shallow explanation raise more questions)
3. Should be Powerful. (Wide range of explanations).
4. Should be Modest (Modest conclusions are more easily supported, if explains too much, then trivial.)
5. Ought to be simple (ideal of simplicity). (ease of understanding)
6. Should be conservative (should not force us to give up beliefs).

Question 6

IBEs can conflict and come in degrees (3): These axes of evaluation would help:

Answer 6

1. must strike the right balance
2. Determine ranking, strength of evidence needed
3. Diff. contexts entail different standards of evidence.

Question 7

To detmine whether IBE is “best: Compare & Contras axes: (3)

Answer 7

1. fact that IBE is best does not mean it is true. (best among bad not that good)
2. Object of explanation might be illusionary (not real).
3. If defeaters are absent, then IBE is Strong, Inductive Argument.

Question 8

Whether or not IVE is good explanation is a _________ affair, we test _________ against whole systems of belief, not ________.
-So what to give up and what to keep is not obvious.cn

Answer 8

holistic (a. Emphasizing the importance of the whole and the interdependence of its parts.), proposition, individually

Question 9

Analogy arguments definition:

Answer 9

Conclusion drawn based on similarities between at least 2 things.
Ex. a, b, c all have E, Y : a , have , therefore c prob has Z.

Question 10

Strengths of Analogy rests on:

Answer 10

1. Number (variety): more analogies and variety increase strength.
2. Similarities
3. Relevance: Depend on background beliefs
4. More modest hypothesis is stronger: weaker conc = stronger arg. (So people can’t criticize it).