Negro, Niccolo (2023) (Dis)confirming theories of consciousness and their predictions. [Preprint]

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Abstract

The neuroscience of consciousness is undergoing a significant empirical acceleration thanks to several adversarial collaborations that intend to test different predictions of rival theories of consciousness. In this context, it is important to pair consciousness science with confirmation theory, the philosophical discipline that explores the interaction between evidence and hypotheses, in order to understand how exactly, and to what extent, specific experiments are challenging or validating theories of consciousness.
In this paper, I examine this intricate relationship by adopting a Lakatosian lens and propose that Lakatos’ philosophy of science can aid consciousness scientists to better interpret adversarial collaborations in consciousness science and, more generally, to develop a confirmation-theoretic model of theory appraisal in this field.
I do so by suggesting that such a model be built upon three Lakatos-inspired criteria for assessing the relationship between empirical evidence and theoretical predictions: a) the model should represent the distinction between prediction and accommodation; b) the model should represent the structural relevance of predictions; c) the model should represent the boldness of the predictions. I argue that a Lakatosian model of theory-appraisal has both normative and descriptive virtues, and can move the debate forward by acknowledging that theory-appraisal needs to consider the diachronic development of theories, their logical structure, and their relationship with background beliefs and knowledge.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Negro, Niccolo niccolo.negro.research@gmail.com
Additional Information:	Preprint version - currently under review
Keywords:	Consciousness science; Lakatos; Predictions; Confirmation theory; Theories of consciousness
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Neuroscience > Cognitive Neuroscience General Issues > Evidence Specific Sciences > Neuroscience General Issues > Structure of Theories
Depositing User:	Dr. Niccolo Negro
Date Deposited:	23 Nov 2023 01:30
Last Modified:	23 Nov 2023 01:30
Item ID:	22779
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Neuroscience > Cognitive Neuroscience General Issues > Evidence Specific Sciences > Neuroscience General Issues > Structure of Theories
Date:	2023
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/22779

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