科学中理论选择的合理性——基于说明主义的辩护

Rationality of theoretical choice in sciences:Justification based on explanationism

经验对理论的非充分决定现象以及传统的知识经验主义共同导致了理论选择的合理性问题。然而,传统的知识经验主义是值得质疑的,经验证据并不是理论受到的唯一认识约束,理论的说明力可以被看作理论潜在的确证度。基于否认知识经验主义的局部说明主义和假说推理策略,可以用来为科学中的理论选择进行合理性辩护。对这两种辩护策略可能面临的批评可以通过辩护目标的弱化而得以避免。

The discussion about the rationality of theoretic choice in sciences came out because of theunder-determination of theory by empirical evidences and traditional knowledge empiricism. However, knowledgeempiricism is not a reasonable doctrine and empirical evidences may not be the only cognitive limits on theory. Theexplanatory power of rationality can be accounted as part of degree of theoretical confirmation by empirical evidences.The two explanationist strategies which came out of denying knowledge empiricism are the local explanationalismstrategy and the abductive strategy. They can be both used for defending the rationality of theoretical choice in sciences.Some possible criticisms at these strategies can be avoided through a modest goal of justification.