Judgments of Beauty in Theory Evaluation

Devon Brickhouse-Bryson

In Judgments of Beauty in Theory Evaluation, Devon Brickhouse-Bryson argues that judgments of beauty are a justified part of theory evaluation of all sorts, including both scientific theory evaluation and philosophical theory evaluation. He supports this argument with an account of beauty—inherited from Kant and Mothersill—on which the distinctive nature of judgments of beauty is that they are unprincipled, yet possible. Brickhouse-Bryson analyzes two important methods of theory evaluation—reflective equilibrium and simplicity—and argues that these methods require making judgments of beauty understood. He further argues that these methods of theory evaluation are not anomalies, but that they point to a deeper lesson about the nature of theorizing and the necessity of using judgments of beauty to evaluate systems, like theories. This book has implications for the debate in philosophy of science over judgments of beauty and also prompts a reckoning in philosophy itself over the use of judgments of beauty in philosophical theory evaluation.

Lexington Books

Pages: 144 • Trim: 6 x 9

978-1-4985-9717-3 • Hardback • July 2020 • $90.00 • (£69.00)

978-1-4985-9718-0 • eBook • July 2020 • $85.50 • (£66.00)

Subjects: Philosophy / Aesthetics, Mathematics / Applied, Science / Physics

Judgments of Beauty in Theory Evaluation

Hardback

eBook

Summary

In Judgments of Beauty in Theory Evaluation, Devon Brickhouse-Bryson argues that judgments of beauty are a justified part of theory evaluation of all sorts, including both scientific theory evaluation and philosophical theory evaluation. He supports this argument with an account of beauty—inherited from Kant and Mothersill—on which the distinctive nature of judgments of beauty is that they are unprincipled, yet possible. Brickhouse-Bryson analyzes two important methods of theory evaluation—reflective equilibrium and simplicity—and argues that these methods require making judgments of beauty understood. He further argues that these methods of theory evaluation are not anomalies, but that they point to a deeper lesson about the nature of theorizing and the necessity of using judgments of beauty to evaluate systems, like theories. This book has implications for the debate in philosophy of science over judgments of beauty and also prompts a reckoning in philosophy itself over the use of judgments of beauty in philosophical theory evaluation.

Details

Lexington Books

Pages: 144 • Trim: 6 x 9

978-1-4985-9717-3 • Hardback • July 2020 • $90.00 • (£69.00)

978-1-4985-9718-0 • eBook • July 2020 • $85.50 • (£66.00)

Subjects: Philosophy / Aesthetics, Mathematics / Applied, Science / Physics

Author

Devon Brickhouse-Bryson is assistant professor of philosophy at the University of Lynchburg.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Theory Evaluation

Chapter 1: Relativism about Beauty

Chapter 2: An Account of Beauty: Unprincipled, Yet Genuine

Chapter 3: Reflective Equilibrium: Judgments of Coherence as Judgments of Beauty

Chapter 4: Simplicity: Judgments of Simplicity as Judgments of Beauty
Chapter 5: Justifying Beauty-Related Methods of Theory Evaluation

Coda: Three Issues for Future Work

Bibliography

About the Author

Reviews

"Brickhouse-Bryson makes a compelling case for the importance of aesthetic judgments. Clearly written and well-researched, Judgments of Beauty in Theory Evaluation takes a bold and much-needed step toward consociating sometimes disparate literatures in aesthetics, philosophy of science, and metaphilosophy, showing surprising similarities among inquiries in art, science, and philosophy."
— Ian O'Loughlin, Pacific University

Judgments of Beauty in Theory Evaluation

Devon Brickhouse-Bryson

Judgments of Beauty in Theory Evaluation

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