Confirmation, Paradoxes, and Possible Worlds

摘要: In a landmark essay, Hempel claimed to show that two unexceptionable theses about confirmation must lead seemingly paradoxical conclusions (see [1945]). Rather than reject those theses, sought establish the they threaten us with are not genuinely paradoxical. The appearance of paradox, he held, is simply 'psychological illusion' ([1945], p. i8). I will argue paradoxes do follow from held them from. Moreover, in interesting cases additional needed derive or support quite certainly false. My arguments depend on our accepting, as himself does, what shall call 'sentential interpretation' confirmation. According this interpretation, 'logical relationship between sentences', is, it sentences which confirm and confirmed (Hempel [19451, 25). Much Hempel's classic discussion couched rather terms 'objectual On approach one treats objects confirming various hypotheses 'hypothesis-sentences'. It appears considered these interpretations be logically indistinguishable.' We see so. validity affected by one's choice sentential objectual interpretations. Hence, heavy reliance interpretation results remain valid when reformulated exclusively terms. An appeal thus becomes necessary