Being Rational through Fallacies

In this paper we will try to describe the close relation between logical fallacies and abduction considered as inference to the best explanation. To this aim we will exploit the so-called agent-based reasoning framework, which adopts the perspective of a cognitive agent. Then we will analyze some types of reasoning that in the perspective of classical and informal logic are defined fallacies. We will describe how in an agent-based reasoning this kind of fallacious reasoning can in some cases be redefined and considered as a good way of reasoning. In treating this issue we will also refer to the concept of abduction; from the point of view of the classical logic, abduction is a kind of formal fallacious argument the well-known fallacy of affirming the consequent even if it is also recognized is a very precious method of explanation and discovery in science and in everyday reasoning (for example abduction is able to govern inconsistencies that arise in scientific domains, when anomaly is treated through the generation of new hypotheses. Finally we will illustrate how in a celebrated form of practical reasoning, moral deliberation, the concept of abduction can demonstrate a central cognitive attraction also permitting to overcome some sterile consequences of the old-fashioned assumption that in the tradition of moral philosophy prohibits to derive an “ought” from an “is”. 1 Agent-based reasoning, agent-based logic,