Abstract
Since Christensen refuted the Bootstrap theory of confirmation in 1990, there have been some trials to improve the Hypothetico-Deductive theory of confirmation. After some trials, Gemes (1998) declared that his revised version completely overcame the difficulties of Hypothetico-Deductivism without generating any new difficulties. In this paper, I will assert that Gemes's revised version encounters some new difficulties, so it cannot be a true alternative to the Bootstrap theory of confirmation and to classical Hypothetico-Deductivism. Also I will assert that, in principle, such new difficulties cannot be overcome by any trials dependent only on formal logic.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
Christensen, D.: 1990, 'The Irrelevance of Bootstrapping', Philosophy of Science 57, 644-662.
Gemes, K.: 1993, 'Hypothetico-Deductivism, Content, and the Natural Axiomatization of Theories', Philosophy of Science 60, 477-487.
Gemes, K.: 1994, 'Schurz on Hypothetico-Deductivism', Erkenntnis 41, 171-181.
Gemes, K.: 1998, 'Hypothetico-Deductivism: The Current State of Play', Erkenntis 49, 4-8.
Glymour, C.: 1980, 'Discussion: Hypothetico-Deductivism is Hopeless', Philosophy of Science 47, 322-325.
Grimes, T. R.: 1990, 'Discussion: Truth, Content and the Hypothetico-Deductive Method', Philosophy of Science 57, 514-522.
Schurz, G.: 1991, 'Relevant Deduction', Erkenntnis 35, 391-437.
Schurz, G.: 1994, 'Relevant Deduction and Hypothetico-Deductivism: A Reply to Gemes', Erkenntnis 41, 183-188.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Park, SJ. Hypothetico-Deductivism is Still Hopeless. Erkenntnis 60, 229–234 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:ERKE.0000012881.03661.dc
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:ERKE.0000012881.03661.dc