Single Idea 17601

[catalogued under 14. Science / B. Scientific Theories / 1. Scientific Theory]

Full Idea

Both rationalists (who start with a priori truths and make deductions) and empiricists (starting with indubitable sense data and what follows) would guarantee truth, but neither even begins to account for scientific knowledge.

Gist of Idea

Neither a priori rationalism nor sense data empiricism account for scientific knowledge

Source

Paul Thagard (Coherence: The Price is Right [2012], p.46)

Book Reference

-: 'Southern Journal of Philosophy' [-], p.46


A Reaction

Thagard's answer, and mine, is inference to the best explanation, but goes beyond both the a priori truths and the perceptions.