The Role of Understanding in Accepting Scientific Theories
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21680/1983-2109.2019v26n51ID17020Keywords:
Epistemic Virtue, Epistemic Agent, Truth, Propositional, Non-PropositionalAbstract
The acceptance criterion of a scientific theory must be guided on its Understanding. That is so because the acceptance conception of scientific theories based on the expression of epistemic values is not possible, given the incommensurability issue. To solve this matter we must consider the epistemic agent competences and how these sustain its acceptance. In analyzing the choosing process of scientific theories, one must conclude that it is not associated with the mere belief formation on its empirical adequation. Thus being a process not bound to the truth, but associated with the best explanation, therefore generating the best Understanding, which is logically and conceptually, necessary aspect on acceptance of a given cognitive state consequent of an Explanation. Since the Understanding is a characteristic of a virtuous agent, we must believe that the chosen theory would be a result of the ability of a virtuous agent, and therefore a reliable theory.
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