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Paavola Abduction (2).Pdf Sami Paavola On the Origin of Ideas: An Abductivist Approach to Discovery Philosophical Studies from the University of Helsinki 15 Filosofisia tutkimuksia Helsingin yliopistosta Filosofiska studier från Helsingfors universitet Philosophical Studies from the University of Helsinki Publishers: Department of Philosophy Department of Social and Moral Philosophy P.O. Box 9 (Siltavuorenpenger 20 A) 00014 University of Helsinki Editors: Marjaana Kopperi Panu Raatikainen Petri Ylikoski Bernt Österman ISSN 1458-8331 ISBN 952-10-3486-6 (paperback) ISBN 952-10-3487-4 (PDF) Vantaa 2006 Dark Oy On the Origin of Ideas: An Abductivist Approach to Discovery Sami Paavola University of Helsinki, Finland Abstract The purpose of this study was to analyze and develop various forms of abduction as a means of conceptualizing processes of discovery. Abduction was originally presented by Charles S. Peirce (1839-1914) as a “weak”, third main mode of inference -- besides deduction and induction -- one which, he proposed, is closely related to many kinds of cognitive processes, such as instincts, perception, practices and mediated activity in general. Both abduction and discovery are controversial issues in philosophy of science. It is often claimed that discovery cannot be a proper subject area for conceptual analysis and, accordingly, abduction cannot serve as a “logic of discovery”. I argue, however, that abduction gives essential means for understanding processes of discovery although it cannot give rise to a manual or algorithm for making discoveries. In the first part of the study, I briefly present how the main trend in philosophy of science has, for a long time, been critical towards a systematic account of discovery. Various models have been suggested. I outline a short history of abduction; first Peirce's evolving forms of his theory, and then later developments. Although abduction has not been a major area of research until quite recently, I review some critiques of it and look at the ways it has been analyzed, developed and used in various fields of research. Peirce’s own writings and later developments, I argue, leave room for various subsequent interpretations of abduction. The second part of the study consists of six research articles. First I treat “classical” arguments against abduction as a logic of discovery. I show that by developing strategic aspects of abductive inference these arguments can be countered. Nowadays the term ‘abduction’ is often used as a synonym for the Inference to the Best Explanation (IBE) model. I argue, however, that it is useful to distinguish between IBE (“Harmanian abduction”) and “Hansonian abduction”; the latter concentrating on analyzing processes of discovery. The distinctions between loveliness and likeliness, and between potential and actual explanations are more fruitful within Hansonian abduction. I clarify the nature of abduction by using Peirce’s distinction between three areas of “semeiotic”: grammar, critic, and methodeutic. Grammar (emphasizing “Firstnesses” and iconicity) and methodeutic (i.e., a processual approach) especially, give new means for understanding abduction. Peirce himself held a controversial view that new abductive ideas are products of an instinct and an inference at the same time. I maintain that it is beneficial to make a clear distinction between abductive inference and abductive instinct, on the basis of which both can be developed further. Besides these, I analyze abduction as a part of distributed cognition which emphasizes a long-term interaction with the material, social and cultural environment as a source for abductive ideas. This approach suggests a “trialogical” model in which inquirers are fundamentally connected both to other inquirers and to the objects of inquiry. As for the classical Meno paradox about discovery, I show that abduction provides more than one answer. As my main example of abductive methodology, I analyze the process of Ignaz Semmelweis’ research on childbed fever. A central basis for abduction is the claim that discovery is not a sequence of events governed only by processes of chance. Abduction treats those processes which both constrain and instigate the search for new ideas; starting from the use of clues as a starting point for discovery, but continuing in considerations like elegance and 'loveliness'. The study then continues a Peircean- Hansonian research programme by developing abduction as a way of analyzing processes of discovery. Contents Acknowledgements ................................................................................ 9 List of original publications ................................................................. 13 Part I. Introductory Essay 1. Introduction ....................................................................................... 15 2. Aims of the present study................................................................ 18 3. Discovery with philosophical means: some background............ 19 4. A short history of abduction............................................................ 32 4.1. Abduction for Peirce.................................................................. 32 4.2. Abduction after Peirce............................................................... 43 5. Ways of interpreting and classifying abduction........................... 55 6. A short overview of the original studies and their results.......... 63 7. Conclusions and General Discussion ............................................. 70 References............................................................................................... 74 Part II. Original Articles On the Origin of Ideas 9 Acknowledgements There is a multitude of origins for these ideas. It is obvious that I am not able to thank all persons and resources which have contributed to this process and its products. I hope I have remembered to name at least the most important ones. First of all, I want to thank two supervisors of my thesis within the philosophy departments without whom this thesis would not be as it is now. Professor Matti Sintonen has always provided a strong support for my studies without making a big ado about it. I have a great respect for his professional, diplomatic, and networking way of doing things, which is more than welcome in sometimes rigid academic life. Professor, Rector Ilkka Niiniluoto has given help and support for my work in critical moments. He was also the first of my teachers who introduced me to the intriguing world of Peirce, pragmatism, and abduction as well as to the methodological issues, for which I am very grateful. My third supervisor, Professor Kai Hakkarainen, has had an immense impact on my research career in general. He took me as a member to a research group (the Centre for Research on Networked Learning and Knowledge Building) even when there were only few indications that it would turn out to be fruitful. And he has always given time and efforts to projects to grow, which has led to a very productive and inspiring collaboration. Kai was also one of those few people who was really interested in abduction in Finland ten years ago, which was an extra motivation for my work. Very special thanks go to all people within the Centre for Research on Networked Learning and Knowledge Building at the University of Helsinki. Although our shared object of inquiry has not been so much abduction, discovery or philosophy, many related topics, and “trialogical” interests have had clear influences on my understanding on these subjects also. Even more importantly, this group has taught me how to do things within the world of research more generally; however, I am responsible for all the mistakes! These people have supported my work and given me the opportunity to live within a unique community with all its troubles and disturbances, but especially with its shared 10 Sami Paavola achievements and delights which all shall be an essential part of me for the rest of my life. I cannot name you all because so many people were and are members in this group or its vicinity, both in Finland and abroad. Thanks go to Markus Eronen, Marjut Iivonen, Liisa Ilomäki, Satu Jalonen, Kaiju Kangas, Kari Kosonen, Henna Lahti, Minna Lakkala, Jiri Lallimo, Lasse Lipponen, Kirsti Lonka, Hanni Muukkonen, Tuire Palonen, Farida Raitso, Pirita Seitamaa- Hakkarainen, Jason Selvarajan, Hanna Sillanpää, Anna Tapola, Seppo Toikka, Hanna Toiviainen, Marjaana Veermans, and many, many others. Special thanks to “seniors” whose collegial friendship has taught me very much about research but even more about life. Thank you, Liisa, Minna, Jiri, Kai, Lasse, Kirsti, Hanni and Marjaana! An intellectual home for my research on Peirce and abduction has been the group of researchers at the University of Helsinki around our Peirce seminar, “The Metaphysical Club”. Thank you to Mirja Kela and Kimmo Pentikäinen for the joint start of this seminar and its activities, and all those who have participated in these meetings during the years, and kept it going on; so thank you to Erkki Kilpinen for always giving very thoughtful comments, to Ahti-Veikko Pietarinen and Henrik Rydenfelt for collaboration with new Peirce projects. Mats Bergman has always for me represented a true incarnation of the Peircean spirit in the university; thanks for productive discussions and collaboration around all these Peircean topics. Another home ground for presenting ideas related to abduction has been the Model-Based Reasoning conferences in Pavia, in Jyväskylä and Lisbon. They have provided a
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