Science proceeds inference, rather deduction mathematical proof. A ser — Alister E. McGrath

Norway Timelapse
PlayPlay

previous arrow
next arrow
Norway Timelapse
Budapest Timelapse
Iceland Timelapse
Berlin Timelapse
London Timelapse
previous arrow
next arrow

Science proceeds by inference, rather than by the deduction of mathematical proof. A series of observations is accumulated, forcing the deeper question: What must be true if we are to explain what is observed? What "big picture" of reality offers the best fit to what is actually observed in our experience? American scientist and philosopher Charles S. Peirce used the term "abduction" to refer to the way in which scientists generate theories that might offer the best explanation of things. The method is now more often referred to as "inference to the best explanation." It is now widely agreed to be the philosophy of investigation of the world characteristic of the natural sciences.

Alister E. McGrath

Related Authors: Alister E. McGrath

Related Topics: explanation, inference, observation, philosophy-of-science, proof, science, scientific-method, theorizing, theory

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *