A Plea for Plausibility

Toward a Comparative Decision Theory

John R. Welch (St. Louis University - Madrid, Spain)

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English

Routledge
26 August 2024

Philosophy: epistemology & theory of knowledge; Philosophy: logic

Series: Routledge Studies in Contemporary Philosophy

This book develops an original theory of decision-making based on the concept of plausibility. The author advocates plausible reasoning as a general philosophical method and demonstrates how it can be applied to problems in argumentation theory, scientific theory choice, risk management, ethics, law, economics, and epistemology.

Human decisions are conditioned by formidable uncertainty. The standard resource for dealing rationally with uncertainty is the mathematical concept of probability. The probability calculus is well-known, but since the numerical demands for applying it cannot usually be met, it is not widely applicable. By contrast, the concept of plausibility is widely applicable, but it is little known. This book relies on a generalized concept of plausibility whose strength is its adaptability. The adaptability is due to a novel form of decision theory that takes plausibilities as inputs. This form of decision theory remains applicable to decisions informed by sharp probabilities and utilities, but it can also be applied to decisions that must be made without them. It can aid in the rationally critical enterprise of discriminating good arguments from bad, and this can foster philosophical progress.

A Plea for Plausibility will be of interest to scholars and advanced students working in argumentation theory, philosophy of science, ethics, epistemology, economics, law, and risk management.

By: John R. Welch (St. Louis University - Madrid Spain)
Imprint: Routledge
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 152mm,
Weight: 485g
ISBN: 9781032402901
ISBN 10: 1032402903
Series: Routledge Studies in Contemporary Philosophy
Pages: 258
Publication Date: 26 August 2024
Audience: College/higher education , Professional and scholarly , Primary , Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Acknowledgments Introduction A plausibility primer Credence for conclusions Plausibility and decision theory Theory choice and theory diagnosis in science Reasoning about risk Coping with moral uncertainty Plausible inference in legal contest When Econs are human In search of philosophical method Epilogue: Behind and beyond Index

John R. Welch is Professor Emeritus at Saint Louis University – Madrid Campus. He is the author of Moral Strata: Another Approach to Reflective Equilibrium and numerous articles and book chapters in specialized publications. He is also the editor of Other Voices: Readings in Spanish Philosophy.