PulseExploreJournal ClubDebatesTrendingResearchersJournals
Instagram
HomeExploreJournal ClubTrending
Synapse
⌘+K
Synapse
March 28, 2026Philosophy of Science0 citations

Have Bayesians Solved the Paradox of the Ravens?

View Full Paper
AKAmit Karmon

Key Points

  • This study investigates the standard Bayesian approach to the paradox of the ravens and its implications.
  • Analyzed Bayesian confirmation relative to black ravens and non-black non-ravens.
  • Assessed the impact of prior restrictions on confirmation outcomes.
  • Cumulative confirmation from non-black non-ravens is significant if no strict prior restrictions are applied.
  • The paradox of the ravens remains unresolved due to potential confirmation from non-black non-ravens.

Abstract

Abstract The standard Bayesian solution to the paradox of the ravens maintains that the degree of confirmation provided by seeing a non-black non-raven is positive but negligible compared to that provided by seeing a black raven. I show that, unless we impose severe and unmotivated restrictions on the subject’s priors, this has the consequence that the cumulative confirmation provided by all the non-black non-ravens the subject expects to see is non-negligible compared to the cumulative confirmation provided by all the black ravens the subject expects to see. If this is so, however, then the paradox retains its full force.

Ask AI
Helpful
Bookmark
Share
View Full Paper

Cite This Study

Amit Karmon (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69c771988bbfbc51511e19f1https://doi.org/10.1017/psa.2026.10207
Ask AI
Helpful
Bookmark
Share
View Full Paper

Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1A Visual Solution to the Raven Paradox: A Short Note on Intuition, Inductive Logic, and Confirmative Evidence2025
  2. 2URB #518 — The Self-Defeating Theorem: 13 Fatal Arguments Against Bayesianism as a Complete Epistemology2026
  3. 3Bayes Is Back2025 · 1 citations
  4. 4What’s the Best Way to Resolve a Plausibility Paradox?2023
  5. 5A test of inference by exclusion in grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus): Replication of a parrot–child comparative study using additional avian subjects.2025