Questions tagged [evidence]
The evidence tag has no usage guidance.
18
questions
2
votes
5answers
171 views
Are all beliefs ultimately rooted in faith?
For the purpose of this question let 'belief' mean anything a person accepts to be true for whatever reason - in particular if someone 'knows' something they also 'believe' in it.
I read this old ...
1
vote
4answers
147 views
Is a supernatural entity or existence constricted by the necessity of evidence?
It's a fact that natural existences are constricted by the necessity of evidence. Meaning evidence is necessary to prove an natural existence or natural occurrence, and if there's is no evidence the ...
-1
votes
1answer
118 views
How do philosophers answer a question like 'How do you know something exists?'
I recently watched a video from Rationality Rules titled "The Argument from Personal Experience - Debunked (Why Personal Experiences are NOT Proof)". As the title reveals, the video's goal ...
-1
votes
2answers
201 views
How would an philosopher and scientist solve the following kidnapping - scenario?
I would like to hear your opinion as philosophers and scientists regarding how you would solve the problem of proof in the following scenario:
"Plato" who has dementia and a damaged left ...
0
votes
2answers
98 views
Is the concept of 'evidence' inherently subjective, and how does that impact the definition of 'faith'?
Claiming that something is 'evidence' of something else requires a mind observing, interpreting and coming to that conclusion. Isn't this a subjective process? If so, does this mean that the concept ...
4
votes
4answers
254 views
Are extraordinary first-hand subjective accounts more likely to be true the more people report the same experience?
For illustrative purposes, let's take as an example the following claim X = "I went to sleep, but then I suddenly woke up at 3:00 a.m. feeling a terrifying evil presence, and then my bed began to ...
0
votes
2answers
65 views
Term for non-empirical evidence in the courtroom
Science is based on empirical evidence, but most of the evidence presented in a courtroom consists of testimony. Is there a term for the latter, other than "non-empirical"?
Wikipedia makes a ...
2
votes
2answers
253 views
What's the difference between Justification and Evidence?
Q: In what ways does use of the term "Evidence" differ from that of the term "Justification" in philosophy?
Ive read Evidence posed as the internalist counterpoint to the ...
-1
votes
1answer
48 views
two problems with the (log) likelihood measure of evidentiary support [closed]
This is basically a reference request. I'm looking for literature on the two types of counter-example to the log likelihood measure of support for hypotheses which I discuss below.
First some ...
0
votes
0answers
61 views
Varieties of Evidentialism (Prudential, Moral, Epistemic)
re section 5 of this SEP https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/ethics-belief/#VarEvi
I understand each has different aims, but I dont see how does the meaning of evidence and Evidentialism change in each ...
1
vote
3answers
134 views
How can a finite number of observations justify confidence in complex theories
First I'll tell you a bit about how (at least modern) software development works to clarify what I mean by a "test". I'll also narrow the scope to a very particular kind of test known as block box ...
4
votes
2answers
102 views
Is a fallacy involved in perceiving the solution to a long-standing problem as simple and straightforward?
In university (or, school) we're often presented with a problem, and directly afterwards, the solution is presented. Quite often, the solutions presented for a given problem seem painfully obvious, ...
46
votes
10answers
13k views
Why do I accept some inconsequential claims as "obviously true" without evidence? E.g. "Most people don't like to be hit on the head with a hammer."
There are certain claims that I accept as obviously true without (much) evidence. For example:
Most people don't like to be hit on the head with a hammer.
Donald Trump ate dinner some time last week....
3
votes
2answers
84 views
Term for evidence that isn't understood
Imagine someone asks how you can believe that whales evolved from land animals. You tell them about "missing link" fossils that chronicle whales' evolutionary journey.
This is solid evidence - to ...
3
votes
3answers
215 views
How "repeatable" does empirical evidence need to be?
To start, I am a proponent of empiricism but feel like I stumbled into a flaw.
How come we only accept what we can repeat? ..and how often do I need to be able to repeat to the same conclusion for me ...
4
votes
1answer
103 views
How does the philosophy of science explore original research formulation?
Although rarely admitted or communicated, in scientific research it's quite common to change the originally formulated question once insurmountable obstacles have made an answer difficult or ...
3
votes
1answer
722 views
What is the name of the fallacy involving white and black swans?
If one argues:
I have seen only white swans, therefore there are no black swans.
What would this fallacy be called?
1
vote
1answer
92 views
Does a pattern constitute evidence, logic or something else? [closed]
Powerful groups (e.g. tribes and states) often exploit or attack weaker groups. That's a historical pattern suggesting that people will continue to prey on each other.
Many wars have begun with ...