Chapter 9 Study Questions

  1. What is inference to the best explanation? What is the logical pattern of inference to the best explanation?
  2. Under what circumstances can an inference to the best explanation be deemed strong? Cogent?
  3. What is the minimum requirement of consistency? Use an example to illustrate.
  4. What does it mean for a theory to be internally and externally consistent? Provide examples to illustrate.
  5. What are the criteria of adequacy? Use examples to illustrate.
  6. What does it mean for a theory to be the best?
  7. What is the criterion of testability? What does it mean for a theory to be testable?
  8. What is the criterion of fruitfulness? Provide an example to illustrate.
  9. What is the criterion of scope? In what way did Albert Einstein’s theory have more scope than Isaac Newton’s?
  10. What is the criterion of simplicity? Use an example to illustrate.
  11. What is an ad hoc hypothesis? Provide an example to illustrate.
  12. What is the criterion of conservatism? Use an example to illustrate.
  13. What is the TEST formula? What four steps does it comprise?
  14. How do theoretical explanations differ from interpretive explanations? Procedural explanations? Teleological explanations?
  15. Why are most conspiracy theories implausible? Which criterion of adequacy is problematic for conspiracy theories, and why? Use an example to illustrate.
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