What Makes One Idea Better Than Another?

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Benjamin Davies’s avatar
Benjamin DaviesOP​·​#5246​·​

When we reject explanation B in favour of explanation A, there must be some property of the explanations that comprehensively distinguishes A as better than B.

Criticized2*
Dennis Hackethal’s avatar
Dennis Hackethal​·​#5258​·​
1st of 2 versions

We can rationally prefer A over B if and only if A has no pending criticisms whereas B has at least one.

The property you mention is the existence of pending criticisms.

Criticized1
Dennis Hackethal’s avatar
Dennis Hackethal​·​#5263​·​

You can still prefer A over B if neither has pending criticisms. The “if and only if” is too strict.

Criticism of #5258