The Problem of the Acceptance of Theories and the Argument of Inference to the Best Explanation

Abstract

In this brief essay, my goal is to present the structure of a realistic argument – the argument of inference to the best explanation – used to support that the belief in the truth of accepted theories is legitimated in the acceptance of a scientific theory. I then present, the position of Bas van Fraassen, that acceptance involves pragmatic aspects. In the third section, based on the pragmatic considerations of the previous section, I introduce some complexities for the premises the argument of inference to the best explanation.