Extrapolative Inference and Analogical Reasoning in the Empirical Sciences

Authors

  • Marek Jakubiec

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15633/ss.703

Keywords:

scientific method, extrapolation, per analogiam reasoning, philosophy of science, generalization

Abstract

The primary purpose of this paper is to present the issue of extrapolation, which is interesting from the perspective of contemporary philosophy of science. For its proper explanation, it is crucial to distinguish it from terms of similar meaning, such as analogy, induction or statistical inference. The second goal is to indicate key differences that exist between extrapolative inference and analogical reasoning. Because of this the ascertaining of the identification of these concepts would be a mistake though, of course, there is no way not to notice certain similarities.

References

Biela A., Analogy in Science. From a psychological perspective, Frankfurt–New York 1991.

Carnap R., Testability and Meaning, [in:] Readings in the Philosophy of Science, ed. H. Fleigl, M. Brodbeck, New York 1999, p. 47–92.

Extrapolate, www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/extrapolate (20.08.2014).

Guala F., Extrapolation, Analogy and Comparative Process Tracing, “Philosophy of Science” 2010, Vol. 77, pp. 1070–1082.

Hesse M., Models and Analogies in Science, Notre Dame 1966.

Hesse M., The Structure of Scientific Inference, Berkeley 1974.

Popper K., Logic of Scientific Discovery, London–New York 2005.

Sady W., Falsyfikacjonizm Karla Poppera, [in:] W. Sady, Spór o racjonalność naukową. Od Poincarego do Laudana, Wrocław, 2000.

Steel D., Across the Boundaries. Extrapolation in Biology and Social Science, Oxford 2008.

Downloads

Published

2014-11-30

Issue

Section

Artykuły