Abduction (Inference to Best Explanation)

Abduction, or inference to the best explanation, is a reasoning process used to find the most plausible explanation for observations or facts. When we encounter something puzzling, we generate possible explanations and evaluate them based on how well they account for the evidence. The goal is to identify the explanation that is most likely true and fits the data best. In confirmation theory, abduction helps us assess theories by examining how well they can explain the available evidence, guiding our understanding and decision-making in uncertain situations.