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Single Idea 13158
[filed under theme 14. Science / D. Explanation / 3. Best Explanation / a. Best explanation
]
Full Idea
The Copernican account is the truest theory, that is, the most intelligible theory and the only one capable of an explanation sufficient for a person of sound reason.
Gist of Idea
The Copernican theory is right because it is the only one offering a good explanation
Source
Gottfried Leibniz (On Copernicanism and Relativity of Motion [1689], p.92)
Book Ref
Leibniz,Gottfried: 'Philosophical Essays', ed/tr. Arlew,R /Garber,D [Hackett 1989], p.92
A Reaction
The word 'intelligible' here seems to be linked to the notion of a best explanation.
The
26 ideas
with the same theme
[aim of picking the best from among explanations]:
1678
|
Universals give better explanations, because they are self-explanatory and primitive
[Aristotle]
|
13158
|
The Copernican theory is right because it is the only one offering a good explanation
[Leibniz]
|
16835
|
The Methods of Difference and of Agreement are forms of inference to the best explanation
[Mill, by Lipton]
|
16861
|
A false theory could hardly rival the explanatory power of natural selection
[Darwin]
|
14790
|
'Abduction' is beginning a hypothesis, particularly if it includes preference of one explanation over others
[Peirce]
|
14791
|
Abduction involves original suggestions, and not just the testing involved in induction
[Peirce]
|
5363
|
If the cat reappears in a new position, presumably it has passed through the intermediate positions
[Russell]
|
5367
|
Belief in real objects makes our account of experience simpler and more systematic
[Russell]
|
18713
|
If an explanation is good, the symbol is used properly in the future
[Wittgenstein]
|
17676
|
Best explanations explain the most by means of the least
[Armstrong]
|
17060
|
Best Explanation is the core notion of epistemology
[Harman, by Smart]
|
16824
|
Is Inference to the Best Explanation nothing more than inferring the likeliest cause?
[Lipton]
|
16817
|
Best Explanation as a guide to inference is preferable to best standard explanations
[Lipton]
|
16818
|
The 'likeliest' explanation is the best supported; the 'loveliest' gives the most understanding
[Lipton]
|
16820
|
Finding the 'loveliest' potential explanation links truth to understanding
[Lipton]
|
16819
|
IBE is inferring that the best potential explanation is the actual explanation
[Lipton]
|
16828
|
IBE is not passive treatment of data, but involves feedback between theory and data search
[Lipton]
|
16844
|
A contrasting difference is the cause if it offers the best explanation
[Lipton]
|
16853
|
We select possible explanations for explanatory reasons, as well as choosing among them
[Lipton]
|
3232
|
Abduction could have true data and a false conclusion, and may include data not originally mentioned
[Rey]
|
6360
|
Scientific confirmation is best viewed as inference to the best explanation
[Pollock/Cruz]
|
17599
|
The best theory has the highest subjective (Bayesian) probability?
[Thagard]
|
4634
|
Abduction aims at simplicity, testability, coherence and comprehensiveness
[Baggini /Fosl]
|
4637
|
To see if an explanation is the best, it is necessary to investigate the alternative explanations
[Baggini /Fosl]
|
6785
|
Inference to the Best Explanation is done with facts, so it has to be realist
[Bird]
|
17403
|
The periodic table suggests accommodation to facts rates above prediction
[Scerri]
|