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What Makes an Explanation Best

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State

The criteria: explanatory scope, simplicity, conservatism with established knowledge, and testability.

Show

Two theories fit the data; the one requiring three coincidences and a conspiracy loses on simplicity.

Watch for

The criteria can conflict — a bolder theory may explain more. Ranking explanations is judgment, guided but not mechanized by the list.

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  • Nothing yet depends on this.