Ideas from 'Abduction and Induction' by Charles Sanders Peirce [1901], by Theme Structure

[found in 'Philosophical Writings of Peirce' by Peirce,Charles Sanders (ed/tr Buchler,Justus) [Dover 1940,0-486-20217-8]].

green numbers give full details    |     back to texts     |     unexpand these ideas

---

14. Science / D. Explanation / 3. Best Explanation / a. Best explanation

14790

'Abduction' is beginning a hypothesis, particularly if it includes preference of one explanation over others

			Full Idea: The first starting of a hypothesis and the entertaining of it …is an inferential step which I propose to call 'abduction'. This will include a preference for any one hypothesis over others which would equally explain the facts.
			From: Charles Sanders Peirce (Abduction and Induction [1901], I)
			A reaction: I take there to be no more important function within human thought than the procedure by which we give preference to one particular explanation. It only makes sense, I think, if we take it as part of a coherence theory of justification.

14791

Abduction involves original suggestions, and not just the testing involved in induction

			Full Idea: It is of the nature of abduction to involve an original suggestion; while typical induction has no originality in it, but only tests a suggestion already made.
			From: Charles Sanders Peirce (Abduction and Induction [1901], I)
			A reaction: Peirce's 'abduction' is not, then, just the choice of a best explanation. He came up with the idea because he was keen to capture the creative and imaginative character of rational thought.