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The all-too-flexible abductive method: ATOM's normative status.

Jan-Willem Romeijn¹

¹Faculty of Philosophy, University of Groningen, Oude Boteringestraat 52, 9712GL Groningen, The Netherlands. j.w.romeijn@rug.nl

Journal of Clinical Psychology

|July 18, 2008

Summary

The abductive theory of method (ATOM) is too permissive, offering too many theories. Suggestions are made to improve its normative force by considering experimental practices in psychological data production.

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Area of Science:

Philosophy of Science
Cognitive Science

Background:

The abductive theory of method (ATOM) by Brian Haig offers a framework for scientific reasoning.
Contemporary philosophy of science grapples with issues of theory selection and justification.

Purpose of the Study:

To critically evaluate the abductive theory of method (ATOM) from a philosophical standpoint.
To connect ATOM with current trends in the philosophy of science.
To propose improvements for ATOM's methodological permissiveness and normative force.

Main Methods:

Philosophical analysis of Brian Haig's abductive theory of method (ATOM).
Examination of analogical reasoning and exploratory factor analysis within ATOM.
Consideration of explanatory coherence as a selection mechanism.
Derivation of suggestions from experimental practices in psychological data production.

Main Results:

ATOM, as currently formulated, is excessively permissive, leading to an overabundance of candidate theories.
Analogical reasoning and exploratory factor analysis contribute to this permissiveness.
Explanatory coherence alone is insufficient to resolve theory underdetermination.
The methodology lacks sufficient normative force for robust theory selection.

Conclusions:

ATOM requires refinement to enhance its normative guidance in theory selection.
Integrating insights from the experimental context of psychological data generation can strengthen ATOM.
Addressing the permissiveness of ATOM is crucial for its practical application in scientific discovery.