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Abduction in Cognition and Action

Logical Reasoning, Scientific Inquiry, and Social Practice

  • Frontiers of research into the logic and practice of abduction
  • Discusses different perspectives on and interpretations of abduction
  • Addresses all important research areas on abduction

Part of the book series: Studies in Applied Philosophy, Epistemology and Rational Ethics (SAPERE, volume 59)

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Table of contents (14 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xiv
  2. Developing and Applying Peirce’s Abduction

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 75-75
    2. Abduction as “Leading Away”

      • Lorenzo Magnani
      Pages 77-105
    3. Methodeutic of Abduction

      • Francesco Bellucci, Ahti-Veikko Pietarinen
      Pages 107-127
    4. Peirce, Russell and Abductive Regression

      • John Woods
      Pages 129-145
  3. Abduction, Mathematics, and Logic in Creative Discovery

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 147-147
    2. The Place of Logic in Creative Reason

      • Atocha Aliseda
      Pages 149-160
    3. On Abducing the Axioms of Mathematics

      • Woosuk Park
      Pages 161-175
  4. Human Reasoning and Theories of Cognition

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 229-229
    2. Abductive Inference, Self-Knowledge, and the Myth of Introspection

      • Eric Phillip Charles, Nicholas S. Thompson
      Pages 247-262
    3. The Role of Collections of Objects in Abduction

      • Patricia Turrisi
      Pages 263-278
    4. Our Themes on Abduction in Human Reasoning: A Synopsis

      • Emmanuelle-Anna Dietz Saldanha, Steffen Hölldobler, Luís Moniz Pereira
      Pages 279-293

About this book

This book gathers together novel essays on the state-of-the-art research into the logic and practice of abduction. In many ways, abduction has become established and essential to several fields, such as logic, cognitive science, artificial intelligence, philosophy of science, and methodology. In recent years this interest in abduction’s many aspects and functions has accelerated. There are evidently several different interpretations and uses for abduction. Many fundamental questions on abduction remain open. How is abduction manifested in human cognition and intelligence? What kinds or types of abduction can be discerned? What is the role for abduction in inquiry and mathematical discovery? The chapters aim at providing answer to these and other current questions. Their contributors have been at the forefront of discussions on abduction, and offer here their updated approaches to the issues that they consider central to abduction’s contemporary relevance. The book is an essential reading for any scholar or professional keeping up with disciplines impacted by the study of abductive reasoning, and its novel development and applications in various fields.


Editors and Affiliations

  • Philosophy and Science Education, University at Buffalo, Amherst, USA

    John R. Shook

  • Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

    Sami Paavola

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 99.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access