Abduction in Human and Logical Agents

Abstract

Abduction plays a central role in the explanation of hypothetical and creative reasoning in science and everyday reasoning. I maintain that the analysis of model-based and manipulative abduction and of external and epistemic mediators is important not only to further enhance the development of programs computation-ally adequate in rediscovering, or discovering scientific hypotheses or mathematical theorems for the first time, but also to favor the development of abductive logical systems. A considerable part of the paper is devoted to illustrating the "manipulative framework" of abduction in the light of the role of the extra-theoretical dimension of reasoning and discovery. This framework provides a useful perspective in the study of the role of externalization of the mind in producing logical representations and a better understanding of the distinction between human and ideal logical agents. In the second part of the paper I also illustrate the cognitive role of what I call "mimetic" and "creative" representations and their function in the research on practical logic.