Weighing Interpretations in Science, Biblical Studies, and Life: The Quest for the Best Explanation

Conflicting narratives surround us, and it is difficult to determine which interpretation is better. Weighing Interpretations in Science, Biblical Studies, and Life: The Quest for the Best Explanation argues that the best theory is the one that better explains the data of the world. This book provides a full description of Inference to the Best Explanation (IBE) and demonstrates how it is used in science, Biblical studies, and everyday life. It offers a new method of diagramming and weighing explanatory arguments for competing interpretations and concludes by suggesting some theological implications of IBE.

Format: Hardback
Length: 286 pages
Publication date: 15 July 2023
Publisher: Lexington Books

Conflicting narratives saturate our world, permeating politics, religion, and even science. One person's conspiracy theory can be perceived as another's self-evident truth. Yet, how do we discern which interpretation of the world is superior? Weighing Interpretations in Science, Biblical Studies, and Life: The Quest for the Best Explanation contends that theories and interpretations aim to explain the world, and thus, the superior theory is the one that best elucidates the data of the world. However, this raises crucial questions. What constitutes an explanation? How do we evaluate and rank them? What kind of inference enables us to discover and reason about these explanations? This book offers a comprehensive account of this Inference to Best Explanation (IBE) and demonstrates its application in science, Biblical studies, and even everyday life. Matthew Joss presents a novel method for diagramming and weighing explanatory arguments for competing interpretations. Specifically, the book focuses on Biblical studies, showcasing how this approach can aid in assessing and engaging in dialogue about interpretations, providing detailed case studies. Finally, the book concludes by suggesting theological implications of IBE. Namely, IBE aligns with a bottom-up approach to theologizing that is consistent with fundamental Christian doctrines.

Conflicting narratives saturate our world, permeating politics, religion, and even science. One person's conspiracy theory can be perceived as another's self-evident truth. Yet, how do we discern which interpretation of the world is superior? Weighing Interpretations in Science, Biblical Studies, and Life: The Quest for the Best Explanation contends that theories and interpretations aim to explain the world, and thus, the superior theory is the one that best elucidates the data of the world. However, this raises crucial questions. What constitutes an explanation? How do we evaluate and rank them? What kind of inference enables us to discover and reason about these explanations? This book offers a comprehensive account of this Inference to Best Explanation (IBE) and demonstrates its application in science, Biblical studies, and even everyday life. Matthew Joss presents a novel method for diagramming and weighing explanatory arguments for competing interpretations. Specifically, the book focuses on Biblical studies, showcasing how this approach can aid in assessing and engaging in dialogue about interpretations, providing detailed case studies. Finally, the book concludes by suggesting theological implications of IBE. Namely, IBE aligns with a bottom-up approach to theologizing that is consistent with fundamental Christian doctrines.

Weight: 503g
Dimension: 237 x 159 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781666918014