Full Idea
The core idea of Inference to the Best Explanation (IBE) is that explanatory considerations are a guide to inference. …Inserting one of the standard models of explanation yields disappointing results, because of their backward state.
Gist of Idea
Best Explanation as a guide to inference is preferable to best standard explanations
Source
Peter Lipton (Inference to the Best Explanation (2nd) [2004], 04 'Spelling')
Book Reference
Lipton,Peter: 'Inference to the Best Explanation (2nd ed)' [Routledge 2004], p.56
A Reaction
Inferences tend to come one at a time, but I see best explanations as the formation of coherent pictures. The tricky bit is when to decide the coherence makes it acceptable. Lipton has that problem too, with his inferences. 'Working explanations'.