萨伽德的解释连贯性理论及其争议分析

Thagard’s Theory of Explanatory Coherence and Its Controversies Analysis

萨伽德提出了解释连贯性理论,并基于解释连贯性理论开发了计算机模型ECHO用于评价相互竞争的科学理论。根据解释连贯性理论,评价科学理论与观察证据之间的连贯性应该遵守对称、解释、类比、资料优先、矛盾、竞争和可接受性7个基本原则。帕皮诺和乔纳森认为对称性原则忽视了概率推理的作用,而且乔纳森建议增加第八原则,以对新颖的预测附加特定的价值。麦考利、帕尔默和霍布斯对类比原则提出了质疑,认为类比原则是不必要的。对此,萨伽德进行了回应,并对解释连贯性理论和ECHO模型进行辩护。这样的批驳与相关回应,深化了人们对科学理论评价方法的认识。

Thagard put forward the Theory of Explanatory Coherence and developed a computer model ECHO to evaluate competing scientific theories.According to the Theory of Explanatory Coherence,seven basic principles should be observed in evaluating the coherence between scientific theory and observational evidence,including Symmetry,Explanation,Analogy,Data Priority,Contradiction,Competition and Acceptability.Papineau and Jonathan argued that the Symmetry Principle ignored the role of probabilistic reasoning,and Jonathan advised to add the eighth principle to attach specific value to novel predictions.Mc Cauley,Palmer and Hobbs questioned the Analogy Principle,argued that the role of analogy could also be concluded by other principles.It implied that the principle of analogy is unnecessary.In response,Thagard defended the Theory of Explanatory Coherence and the ECHO model.Such refutation and related responses deepened people’s understanding of the evaluation methods of scientific theory.