Chapter 10 Flashcards
What is an explanation?
An explanation is statement or statements asserting why or how something is the case.
Define inference to the best explanation.
A form of inductive reasoning in which we reason from premises about a state of affairs to an explanation for that state of affairs.
Define a theoretical explanation.
Theoretical explanations are theories or hypotheses that try to explain why something is the way it is, why something is the case, why something happened.
What is a testable theory?
A testable theory is one in which there is some way to determine whether the theory is true or false—that is, it predicts something other than what it was introduced to explain.
Define the criterion of conservatism.
A conservative theory is one that fits with our established beliefs.
Define the criterion of fruitfulness.
A fruitful theory is one that makes novel predictions.
Define the criterion of scope.
A theory with scope is one that explains or predicts phenomena other than that which it was introduced to explain
Define the criterion of simplicity?
A simple theory is one that makes minimal assumptions.
What is the TEST Formula and what are the steps involved in it?
The four-step procedure for determining the worth of a theory.
Step 1: State the Theory and check for consistency.
Step 2: Access the Evidence for the theory.
Step 3: Scrutinize alternative theories.
Step 4: Test the theories with the criteria of adequacy.
What is an ad hoc hypothesis?
An ad hoc hypothesis is one that cannot be verified independently of the phenomenon it’s supposed to explain.
What is the criteria of adequacy and what does it include?
The criteria of adequacy are the standards used to judge the worth of explanatory theories. They include testability, fruitfulness, scope, simplicity, and conservatism.
