Theoretical Virtues

Theoretical virtues are qualities that scientists and philosophers value in good theories. They help us judge which ideas are more likely to be true or useful. Examples include: coherence (the theory fits well with what we already know), simplicity (it avoids unnecessary complications), explanatory power (it helps explain phenomena clearly), and testability (it can be checked through experiments). These virtues guide us in choosing better theories among many options, aiming to find explanations that are both reliable and helpful in understanding the world.