Academics should police policy claims for plausibility rather than merely teach

Evidence

But what is needed is not the drawing of the line and the confession of excess (“dizzy with success,” as Stalin once famously put it) but rather the renewal of historical analysis itself, and the tireless reexamination and diagnosis of the political and ideological functionality of the concept — the part it has suddenly come to play today in our imaginary resolutions of our real contradictions. — Fredric Jameson, Postmodernism, or, The Cultural Logic…, 857 (#expands, via linked claim)

In a criminal case, although certain portions of evidence may be introduced to present permissible inferences, the sum total must amount to a reasonable inference of the ultimate fact of defendant’s guilt. Thus, the ultimate issue in a civil case based on circumstantial evidence is the ability to draw a reasonable inference, and not a speculation, of liability. — Ruggero J. Aldisert, Agatha D. Aldisert, Logic for Lawyers- A Guide to Clear…, 222 (#expands, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Theories must be tested by their political function, not retracted — Fredric Jameson, Postmodernism, or, The Cultural Logic…, 857; Circumstantial evidence must support a reasonable inference rather than mere speculation — Ruggero J. Aldisert, Agatha D. Aldisert, Logic for Lawyers- A Guide to Clear…, 222; Distinguishing legitimate from illegitimate predictors requires domain expertise in policing bias. (+3 more)

Broader Connections

• Theories must be tested by their political function, not retracted #expands (0.75) — Fredric Jameson, Postmodernism, or, The Cultural Logic…, 857
• Distinguishing legitimate from illegitimate predictors requires domain expertise in policing bias. #qualifies (0.75)
• Circumstantial evidence must support a reasonable inference rather than mere speculation #expands (0.72) — Ruggero J. Aldisert, Agatha D. Aldisert, Logic for Lawyers- A Guide to Clear…, 222
• Theory should be a deliberately one-sided tool that risks falsification #expands (0.72) — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 4381
• To charge that he levels a similar claim against many different sorts of thinkers is only a negative criticism if Patterson’s claims are unwarranted; otherwise, it merely measures the scope of his… #responds-to (0.72)
• Only empirical research can separate broad racial beliefs from specific policy judgments #qualifies (0.71)