A Material Theory of Abduction

Abstract

(Aizawa, 2025) proposed that scientists sometimes confirm hypotheses using abductive reasoning. That is, they presuppose that some H’s explaining some E provides some reason to believe H. As an example, Alan Hodgkin and Andrew Huxley used abductive reasoning to support their hypothesis that an influx of sodium ions into an axon generates the initial rise of the action potential. This paper articulates how the theory of abduction in (Aizawa, 2025) addresses the problems Norton raises for extant theories of inference to the best explanation. It also indicates how this theory counts as a material theory of abduction.