Induction and Reasoning to the Best Explanation

Bibliographic Data

ID10705404
AuthorsRichard Fumerton (0000-0003-2640-0873, University of Iowa, corresponding author), R A Fumerton
Year1980
Volume47
Issue4
Pages589-600
Publication date1980-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePhilosophy of Science (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0031-8248 • E-ISSN: 1539-767X
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1086/288959
OpenAlexW2122458845
LanguageEN
Citations received14
References cited7

In this paper I want to cast doubt on the claim that there is a legitimate process of reasoning to the best explanation which can serve as an alternative to either straightforward inductive reasoning or a combination of inductive and deductive reasoning. I shall argue a) that paradigmatic cases of acceptable arguments to the best explanation must be considered enthymemes and b) that when the suppressed premises are made explicit we have all of the premises we need to present either a straightforward inductive argument or an argument employing both induction and deduction

Argument (complex analysis) · Cognitive science · Deductive reasoning · Epistemology · Inductive reasoning · Process (computing) · Programming language · Computer Science · Epistemology, Ethics, and Metaphysics · Philosophy · Philosophy and History of Science · Philosophy and Theoretical Science · Psychology

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