Inferência para a melhor explicação: aspectos filosóficos e empíricos

Abstract

This dissertation analyzes the role played by explanatory considerations in inductive reasoning. We focus on what has been called inference to the best explanation. According to this pattern of inference, explanatory considerations are sufficient to impose constraints on belief. We try to show that, although explanatory considerations impose some psychological constraints on inductive reasoning, they do not play a normative role concerning the correctness of inductive judgments. We conclude for the difficulty of formulating a rule of inference in which explanatory considerations function as probability indicators.