Week 3 Discussion Forum
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School
Delaware County Community College *
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Course
103
Subject
Philosophy
Date
Jan 9, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
2
Uploaded by DoctorDovePerson635
One of the other most common inferences in life is the inference to the best explanation (sometimes called abductive reasoning
). We use this type of reasoning to infer what would best explain the things that we see. It might strike you as the sort of reasoning used in science--inductive reasoning--but it's slightly different. Chapter 6 in our book demonstrates ways in which this type of reasoning helps us to explain the world around us.
Prepare
: Review Section 6.5 of the course text on Inferences to the Best Explanation. Choose a topic that is difficult or controversial to explain. Some good topics include hoaxes, unusual sightings (e.g. UFOs, bigfoot, etc.), the supernatural or paranormal (ghosts, levitation, etc.), conspiracy theories, unsolved crimes, court cases, etc.
Reflect
: Do a little research to find a specific topic and learn about explanations on both sides. Consider what you think might best explain the observed facts of the case.
Write
: Explain the topic you chose and why it is interesting or controversial. Present good arguments on more than one side of the issue (e.g. competing explanations of the facts). Analyze both arguments that you have presented. Then present your own argument for your theory that you feel will best explain this phenomenon. Are there any holes in your theory? Is there any information that would be likely to strengthen or weaken your case?
The topic I chose is the assassination of John F. Kennedy, the 35
th
president of
the United States. He was killed in Dallas on November 22, 1963. The current
records show that Lee Harvey Oswald, acting alone, killed JFK from building nearby.
Authorities tracked Oswald from the roof where he shot from, to his house, to
bus stops, and finally a theater where he was arrested and charged with the assassination. They have pictures of false identities, the gun that was used to kill another police officer in his getaway, numerous eyewitnesses, his association with the USSR, and ballistics which all pointed to him. It should be an open and shut case. All the evidence points to this one guy.
Here is where the story goes nuts. As with all good conspiracy theories, we have governmental cover ups, more gunmen that were responsible, shadow governments, mafia involvement, Cuban exiles, and even, industry leaders of
certain policies that Kennedy was against, killing this man. All read crazier than the next. While all have a tiny shred of truth, I think a lot of them fall short of being a strong argument.
I do not think there are any holes in my theory that there was one man that killed JFK. It has all been documented and verified. I think the only holes are the conspiracy theories.
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