Inference to the Best Explanation (Philosophical Issues in Science)

Peter Lipton

ISBN 10: 0415058864 / ISBN 13: 9780415058865

Published by Routledge, 1991

About this Item

Good. Used with wear, creasing/edgewear and discoloration to dj, cracking to spine but pages are still holding, markings to text, and age toning but is still in solid reading condition. Pasadena's finest new and used bookstore since 1992. Seller Inventory # mon0000705861

Bibliographic Details

Title: Inference to the Best Explanation (...

Publisher: Routledge

Publication Date: 1991

Binding: hardcover

Condition: Good

Dust Jacket Condition: Good

About this title

Synopsis:

How do we go about weighing evidence, testing hypotheses, and making inferences? According to this work, we infer the hypothesis that would, if correct, provide the best explanation of the available evidence. Articulating the model of inference to the best explanation requires an account of what makes one explanation better than another. The author of this treatise distinguishes between the explanation best supported by the evidence - the most likely explanation - and the explanation that would, if true, provide the most understanding. He argues that an illuminating version of inference to the best explanation must rely on the latter notion, and provides an account of what makes one explanation better than another by analyzing the structure of contrastive explanations.

Review:

'The first edition of Peter Lipton's Inference to the Best Explanation, which appeared in 1991, is a modern classic in the philosophy of science. Yet in the second edition of the book, Lipton proves that even a classic can be improved ... a 'must' read for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of inductive inference, broadly understood.' – Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews

'Peter Lipton's excellent book approaches the descriptive task with imagination and style. Lipton argues persuasively that an understanding of the workings of contrastive explanation can yield insight into our inferential practices.' – Times Literary Supplement

'Lipton makes valuable contributions with respect to any number of important questions in epistemology and philosophy of science. Anyone with more than a passing interest in these fields will find his book indispensable.' – The Philosophical Review