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Extrapolation, Analogy, and Comparative Process Tracing

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2022

Francesco Guala
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Abstract

Comparative process tracing is the best analysis of extrapolation inferences in the philosophical and scientific literature so far. In this essay I examine some similarities and differences between comparative process tracing and former attempts to capture the logic of extrapolation, such as the analogical approach. I show that these accounts are not different in spirit, although comparative process tracing supersedes previous proposals in terms of analytical detail. I also examine some qualms about the possibility of drawing extrapolation inferences in the social sciences and conclude by suggesting that there may be cases of extrapolation without process tracing.

Type
Research Article
Information
Philosophy of Science , Volume 77 , Issue 5 , December 2010 , pp. 1070 - 1082
Copyright
Copyright © The Philosophy of Science Association

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Footnotes

‡

Earlier versions of this essay were presented at the 2008 International Philosophy of Science conference in Dubrovnik and the 2008 Philosophy of Science Association meeting in Pittsburgh. I thank participants to both conferences and especially Julian Reiss and Daniel Steel for detailed comments that helped me during revision. The usual caveats apply.

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