| 释义 |
inferential, a.|ɪnfəˈrɛnʃəl|
[f. med.L. inferentia + -al1.]
Of or pertaining to inference; involving or depending on inference; of the nature of inference.
1657Gaule Sapient. Justif. 16 But was this inferential motive heedlesly escaped? 1804W. Taylor in Ann. Rev. II. 323 The speculations of hypothetical and inferential reasoning. 1813–21Bentham Ontol. Wks. 1843 VIII. 195 An inferential entity, is an entity which, in these times at least, is not made known to human beings in general, by the testimony of sense, but of the existence of which the persuasion is produced by reflection. 1854R. G. Latham Native Races Russian Emp. 109 The belief was, probably, inferential. 1885G. Allen Darwin viii. 137 Minute inferential proofs which hardly admit of deliberate condensation.
Hence (nonce-wds.) infeˈrentialism, a theory involving or depending on (mere) inference (as distinguished from direct observation or conclusive demonstration); infeˈrentialist, an advocate of such a theory.
1874McCosh Scot. Philos. xliv. (1875) 334 Brown's doctrine can scarcely be called idealism. It might more appropriately be called inferentialism. 1891Athenæum 8 Aug. 196/3 That the inferentialists will give up the contest, is not to be expected. |