Chapter 09 Level 1 Quiz

Inference to the Best Explanation

. Inference to the best explanation is a form of inductive reasoning in which we reason from premises about a state of affairs to ________.

. Before evaluating a theory, we should make sure that it meets the minimum requirement of ________.

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An inference to the best explanation always goes "beyond the evidence"—it tries to explain facts but does so by ________.

. A theory that is internally consistent is free of ________.

. The standards used to judge the worth of explanatory theories are known as ________.

. If there is some way to determine whether a theory is true or false, it is said to be ________.

. A theory with scope is one that explains or predicts phenomena ________.

. If a theory predicts something other than what it was introduced to explain, it is ________.

. A theory that fits with our established beliefs is ________.

. Our established beliefs can never be shown to be false.

. There is no strict formula or protocol for applying the criteria of adequacy.

. In inference to the best explanation, we reason from premises about a state of affairs to an explanation for that state of affairs.

. Other things being equal, the best theory is the one that fits best with our established beliefs.

. Fruitful theories are testable.

. The best theory is the eligible theory that meets the criteria of adequacy better than any of its competitors.

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