The Unresolved Bridge Problem Essay -- Philosopher Karl Popper

Philosopher Karl Popper, an inductive skeptic, is criticized by his objection to confirmation. Rather than using the term confirmation to describe a possibility that has continued to be prove correctly, Popper created his own term. Popper says that corroboration is a term used to describe theories that have been tested and not yet falsified. According to Peter Godfrey-Smith (G-S), Popper can say why we should prefer to use a theory that has not been falsified over a theory that has been falsified (Smith 68). The problem with Popper lies when he is presented with two theories, neither of which has been falsified. This is when Popper has difficulty choosing one theory over another. This situation can be better understood by looking at the tide over problem. I will argue that Popper is unable to conclude the bridge problem using corroboration because the term is synonymous with confirmation. There are two theories (T1 guess One) and (T2 Theory Two) that have differe nt implications for how to build a bridge. These two theories are similar because they both have not been falsified however they differ because one has been tested and the other has not. The theories are stated explicitly below.T1 Theory that has been tested many times and has never been falsifiedT2 Theory that has never been tested and has never been falsifiedNext we can normalally reconstruct the argument in modus ponens form as follows (P1)If T1 is corroborated, then T1 is rational(P2)T1 is corroborated(C)T1 is rationalBefore I say what is wrong with the argument, I want to explain the bridge objection. In Theory and Reality, G-S presents the bridge problem, which is a response to Popper made by inductivists. I chose to explain this... ...t his term corroboration is synonymous to confirmation.In conclusion, I have argued that Popper is unable to solve the volleyball game problem using corroboration because the term is synonymous with corroboration and Popper denies confirmation . Granted, there must be more to what Popper thinks of corroboration, we have no reason from the readings to see why the two terms corroboration and confirmation differ. Until Popper says more about corroboration we are entitled to treat the term as equivalent in message to confirmationWork CitedBlackmon, James. Lecture 13 Confirmation. school of thought 30. UC DAVIS. Davis, 5 Nov2013. Blackmon, James. Lecture 17 Poppers Bridge. Philosophy 30. UC DAVIS. Davis, 26 Nov2013. Godfrey-Smith, Peter. Theory and Reality An Introduction to thePhilosophy of Science. Chicago University of Chicago, 2003. Print.