The abductivist reply to skepticism

James R. Beebe

doi:10.1111/j.1933-1592.2009.00295.x

The abductivist reply to skepticism

James R. Beebe

Philosophy

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

60 Scopus citations

Abstract

Abductivists claim that explanatory considerations (e.g., simplicity, parsimony, explanatory breadth, etc.) favor belief in the external world over skeptical hypotheses involving evil demons and brains in vats. After showing how most versions of abductivism succumb fairly easily to obvious and fatal objections, I explain how rationalist versions of abductivism can avoid these difficulties. I then discuss the most pressing challenges facing abductivist appeals to the a priori and offer suggestions on how to overcome them.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	605-636
Number of pages	32
Journal	Philosophy and Phenomenological Research
Volume	79
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1933-1592.2009.00295.x
State	Published - Nov 2009

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10.1111/j.1933-1592.2009.00295.x

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AB - Abductivists claim that explanatory considerations (e.g., simplicity, parsimony, explanatory breadth, etc.) favor belief in the external world over skeptical hypotheses involving evil demons and brains in vats. After showing how most versions of abductivism succumb fairly easily to obvious and fatal objections, I explain how rationalist versions of abductivism can avoid these difficulties. I then discuss the most pressing challenges facing abductivist appeals to the a priori and offer suggestions on how to overcome them.

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The abductivist reply to skepticism

Abstract

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