Sprenger, Jan (2014) A Novel Solution to the Problem of Old Evidence. [Preprint]

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Abstract

One of the most troubling and persistent challenges for Bayesian Confirmation Theory is the Problem of Old Evidence (POE, Glymour 1980). The problem arises for anyone who wants to model confirmation and theory appraisal in science by means of Bayesian Conditionalization. This paper addresses the problem as follows: First, I clarify the nature and the varieties of POE, following Eells (1985, 1990). Second, I analyze solution proposals where (i) confirmation is evaluated relative to a counterfactual credence function; (ii) confirmation occurs through learning the proposition that theory T accounts for evidence E (Garber 1983; Jeffrey 1983; Niiniluoto 1983). Third, I present a novel solution that improves upon the state of the art in terms of scope and plausibility of the underlying assumptions. Finally, I summarize my findings and put them into the context of the general debate about POE and Bayesianism.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Sprenger, Jan j.sprenger@uvt.nl
Keywords:	Bayesianism; confirmation theory; old evidence
Subjects:	General Issues > Confirmation/Induction General Issues > Theory Change
Depositing User:	Jan Sprenger
Date Deposited:	14 Jan 2015 00:11
Last Modified:	22 Jan 2015 16:34
Item ID:	11263
Subjects:	General Issues > Confirmation/Induction General Issues > Theory Change
Date:	2014
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/11263

Available Versions of this Item

• A Novel Solution to the Problem of Old Evidence. (deposited 02 May 2014 05:58)

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