Analogy and Symmetry
Analogy and Symmetry
This chapter has two purposes. First, it explores the connection between analogical reasoning and symmetry to provide a second justification for the argument form, independent of the one offered in chapter 7. The chapter proposes that good analogical arguments are sanctioned by norms of symmetry and Reflection, as expounded by van Fraassen. This idea is elaborated first in a nonprobabilistic setting and then in a probabilistic framework. It is argued that a psychological construal of the relationship between symmetry and probability, as championed by de Finetti and others, is inadequate. The second objective of the chapter is to integrate analogical arguments into a Bayesian model of theoretical confirmation by refining Salmon's idea that analogical arguments contribute to establishing non‐negligible prior probability for hypotheses.
Keywords: Bayesianism, confirmation, de Finetti, prior probability, Reflection, Salmon, symmetry, van Fraassen
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