Abduction And The Limits Of Formalization

Abstract

Paul Bourgine's text "Models of Abduction" is undoubtfully ingenious, bringing forth a theory of abduction whose purpose is to check its adequacy for the whole field of cognitive science. I will not face Bourgine's text directly and I have sincerely to confess that such an enterpris e would go further beyond my competence. Hence, the route I chose for this possible dialogue with Bourgine is an indirect one. I will construct another view of abduction and take it as a starting point to raise some doubts about the state of the art of abduction in cognitive science.