Dotan, Ravit (2020) Theory Choice, Non-epistemic Values, and Machine Learning. [Preprint]

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Abstract

I use a theorem from machine learning, called the “No Free Lunch” theorem (NFL) to support the claim that non-epistemic values are essential to theory choice. I argue that NFL entails that predictive accuracy is insufficient to favor a given theory over others, and that NFL challenges our ability to give a purely epistemic justification for using other traditional epistemic virtues in theory choice. In addition, I argue that the natural way to overcome NFL’s challenge is to use non-epistemic values. If my argument holds, non-epistemic values are entangled in theory choice regardless of human limitations and regardless of the subject matter. Thereby, my argument overcomes objections to the main lines of argument revealing the role of values in theory choice. At the end of the paper, I argue that, contrary to common conception, the epistemic challenge arising from NFL is distinct from Hume’s problem of induction and other forms of underdetermination

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Dotan, Ravit ravit.dotan@berkeley.edu 0000-0002-9646-8315
Keywords:	Theory choice; Epistemic values; Machine learning; the No Free Lunch theorem
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Artificial Intelligence Specific Sciences > Artificial Intelligence > Machine Learning General Issues > Theory Change General Issues > Values In Science
Depositing User:	Ravit Dotan
Date Deposited:	08 Aug 2020 02:25
Last Modified:	08 Aug 2020 02:25
Item ID:	17707
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Artificial Intelligence Specific Sciences > Artificial Intelligence > Machine Learning General Issues > Theory Change General Issues > Values In Science
Date:	2020
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/17707

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